Chelsea Appoint Liam Rosenior On Long Deal

• Chelsea have named Liam Rosenior as head coach on a contract running to 2032
• Rosenior leaves Strasbourg after 18 months in charge, with the club seventh in Ligue 1 and top of their Conference League group
• Enzo Maresca left on Jan 1, with Calum McFarlane set to take Wednesday’s match against Fulham

Chelsea have confirmed Liam Rosenior as their new head coach, handing the 41 year old a long term contract that runs to 2032. 

Rosenior arrives from Strasbourg, the fellow BlueCo club where he has been head coach from July 2024. He led Strasbourg to a seventh place finish in Ligue 1 last season and leaves with the club sitting seventh again, while leading their Conference League group. 

In a club statement, Rosenior said: “I am extremely humbled and honoured to be appointed Head Coach of Chelsea Football Club. This is a club with a unique spirit and a proud history of winning trophies,” Rosenior said in a statement.

“My job is to protect that identity and create a team that reflects these values in every game we play as we continue winning trophies. To be entrusted with this role means the world to me and I want to thank all involved for the opportunity and faith in undertaking this job. I will give everything to bring the success this club deserves.

“I believe deeply in teamwork, unity, togetherness and working for one another, and those values will be at the heart of everything we do. They will be the foundation of our success.” 

Rosenior was in London this week to complete the move and his appointment follows Enzo Maresca’s departure on Jan 1. A poor run of results and Maresca’s own comments pointing to problems behind the scenes ended his 19 month spell, with under 21s coach Calum McFarlane taking charge of the 1-1 draw at Manchester City on Sunday. McFarlane has said he will be in the dugout for Chelsea’s Premier League game against Fulham on Wednesday. 

Shortly before Chelsea confirmed the appointment, Rosenior addressed reporters in France and indicated the move was close, while noting the paperwork was not completed at that point.

“It looks like I’m going to be the next manager of [Chelsea],” he said.

“I haven’t signed yet, I have agreed verbally with Chelsea. It’s really important, this is different to anything anyone has ever done, nobody has made a statement before they have signed a contract.

“Everything is agreed and it will probably go through in the next few hours. I’m here because I care about this club and I felt it was right to answer your questions physically here today before I move on.” 

Rosenior also said he had drawn interest from other clubs at the top end of the European game, while framing Chelsea as an opportunity he felt he could not refuse.

“The last 18 months have been a joy and the best of my professional career. I have met some incredible people and created some incredible memories and made history,” Rosenior said.

“None of that happens without the investment of our ownership and hard work of our president.

“I have had interest from many clubs, including Champions League clubs, which I have always been open with to [our president] Marc [Keller] and our ownership.

“I will love this club for the rest of my life but I cannot turn down Chelsea.” 

He also set out why he believes the role is one he had to take, and why he believes he is ready for it.

“Outside of PSG in France, if Chelsea want a coach, that coach will probably take the Chelsea job,” he said.

“I would not have accepted the Chelsea job if I was not ready.

“There are clubs you just cannot turn down. I hope the Strasbourg fans can see that and be proud of that.” 

Rosenior described a mix of excitement and emotion at leaving Strasbourg, speaking on the morning he fronted up to the media.

“I am so excited about the future. I have worked my whole life to be a coach and manage a world class football club,” he said.

“That does bring sadness for what I am leaving behind. This is emotional as it is my last day and time I wake up as a Strasbourg manager. This is football.” 

Rosenior confirmed members of his staff will move with him to west London.

“I would not be in this position without my unbelievable staff,” he added.

“I am leaving a lot of really good people behind. What I do know is that a good group of people are coming in.

“I have never met a person with such emotional intelligence as I have with Kalifa [Cisse]. Sadly for Strasbourg he is coming with me.”