Softfootball understands that Chelsea are set to announce Liam Rosenior as their new head coach after the 41-year-old verbally agreed to take over from Enzo Maresca, who departed on New 12 months’s Day following a 2-2 draw towards Bournemouth.
Talking at a press convention in Strasbourg as we speak, as reported by sport professional Fabrizio Romano by way of his official X account, Rosenior admitted the transfer was a deeply emotional one. He described the prospect to handle the reigning world champions as an unbelievable alternative.
He mentioned:
Liam Rosenior: Being Chelsea coach is an unbelievable alternative at an unimaginable membership, the world champions. I can go house, see my children, signal for an impressive membership. I can’t flip down this chance. These 18 months at Strasbourg have been my greatest time.
Rosenior, who has but to signal a proper contract however has agreed to phrases with Chelsea’s management, is anticipated to take cost for the FA Cup third-round tie towards Charlton Athletic on Saturday.
Within the meantime, Calum McFarlane, Chelsea’s U21 head coach, will handle Wednesday’s Premier League conflict with Fulham, having beforehand overseen a 1–1 draw towards Manchester Metropolis.
Reflecting on his 18 months at Racing Strasbourg, Rosenior described it as the perfect 18 months of his skilled profession. He led the Ligue 1 aspect to a seventh-place end in 2024–25, their greatest in a long time, and established a high-pressing, progressive fashion that attracted consideration throughout Europe.
Regardless of curiosity from different Champions League golf equipment, he mentioned the Chelsea function was one he merely couldn’t refuse. Rosenior additionally dismissed recommendations that the transfer was automated as a consequence of BlueCo possession, insisting that the appointment mirrored recognition of the work he had constructed at Strasbourg.
The brand new Chelsea supervisor is anticipated to carry key members of his Strasbourg employees to Stamford Bridge, together with assistants Khalifa Cisse and Justin Walker, together with head of research Ben Warner. This continuity is seen as important for implementing his philosophy whereas aligning with BlueCo’s long-term imaginative and prescient.
Identified for his managed possession-based fashion and excessive urgent, ranked sixth-best in Ligue 1 this season, Rosenior is more likely to proceed Chelsea’s youth-focused method, an indicator of Maresca’s ultimate staff, which was the youngest Premier League beginning XI this season.
His first massive challenges would be the Carabao Cup semi-final towards Arsenal, adopted by a Premier League journey to Brentford, with followers and pundits desperate to see how he blends youth growth with the strain for fast outcomes.
