Liam Rosenior confirmed as new Chelsea head coach

Chelsea have announced Liam Rosenior as their new head coach on a contract until 2032. Earlier on Tuesday, Rosenior spoke at a press conference in France and confirmed he had “verbally agreed” to leave his role at Strasbourg to take over at Chelsea, adding he “could not turn down” the opportunity. Strasbourg and Chelsea are owned by BlueCo, a consortium led by American businessman Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital. Chelsea have announced Liam Rosenior as their new head coach on a contract until 2032. Earlier on Tuesday, Rosenior spoke at a press conference in France and confirmed he had “verbally agreed” to leave his role at Strasbourg to take over at Chelsea, adding he “could not turn down” the opportunity. Strasbourg and Chelsea are owned by BlueCo, a consortium led by American businessman Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital. As reported by The Athletic on Sunday, Rosenior flew to London to continue talks alongside Strasbourg president Marc Keller and sporting director David Weir. The 41-year-old flew back to Strasbourg on Monday. Rosenior’s first game in charge will be Saturday’s FA Cup third-round tie at Charlton Athletic. The Englishman will be in the stands for Wednesday’s Premier League trip to Fulham, which Under-21 boss Calum McFarlane will again oversee after taking charge of Sunday’s 1-1 draw against Manchester City. “I was given permission to speak to one of the biggest sporting clubs in the world,” Rosenior said in his press conference, via BBC Sport. “It looks like I am going to be the next manager of that football club (Chelsea). Rosenior called his 18 months with Strasbourg “the best of my professional career” and said that he has not yet officially signed a contract with Chelsea, though he has “agreed verbally with Chelsea” and that “it will probably go through in the next few hours”. “I have had interest from many clubs, including Champions League clubs, which I have always been open with to Marc (Keller) and our ownership,” he added. “I will love this club for the rest of my life but I cannot turn down Chelsea.” Rosenior added that he would be joined at Chelsea by his Strasbourg assistants Kalifa Cisse and Justin Walker, as well as analyst Ben Warner. The Athletic reported on January 1 that Rosenior was the leading contender to replace Enzo Maresca, who had been sacked by Chelsea earlier in the day, less than two years into his contract. “Liam has shown that he can build teams with a clear way of playing while setting the highest standards with players on and off the pitch,” Chelsea’s statement confirming Rosenior’s appointment said. “While there will continue to be a focus on player development, the club’s expectations and ambitions remain high. “Liam has the ability to get the best out of this squad quickly and joins us with the responsibility and the backing to ensure Chelsea continues to compete at the top level in all competitions this season and in seasons to come.” Rosenior had a 16-year playing career spent primarily in the Premier League and the Championship, retiring in 2018 after three seasons with Brighton & Hove Albion. He took up an academy coaching role at Brighton after retirement before being appointed specialist first-team coach under Phillip Cocu at Derby County in 2019. He was promoted to an assistant under Wayne Rooney in 2021 and had a brief spell as interim manager after Rooney left the following year. He left the side in September 2022 and was appointed by Hull City in November. Rosenior finished 15th in the Championship with Hull in his first season with the club and improved to seventh the following campaign, narrowly missing out on the play-offs, though he was sacked at the end of the season. Strasbourg appointed Rosenior as head coach in July 2024, and he led the side to Conference League qualification in his first season, finishing seventh in Ligue 1. He signed a new three-year contract in April. The Athletic reported on Monday that former Wolverhampton Wanderers and Bournemouth head coach Gary O’Neil was in talks to succeed Rosenior at Strasbourg.