Chelsea Football Club is in the process of appointing a new head coach following the departure of Enzo Maresca on January 1. Liam Rosenior, currently managing RC Strasbourg, has emerged as a candidate for the position. His potential appointment is subject to Strasbourg, a club under the same BlueCo ownership as Chelsea, securing a new coach. This development occurs amid expressions of fan discontent at Chelsea, including chants for former owner Roman Abramovich and plans for a protest.
Managerial Search and Candidate Profile
Liam Rosenior is reportedly being considered for the head coach role at Chelsea and is understood to be in London for discussions. Rosenior has managed 153 senior matches across his tenures at Derby County, Hull City, and Strasbourg. He has not secured a major trophy in his managerial career and does not have prior experience managing in the Premier League. His coaching philosophy is described as possession-based.
In contrast, Enzo Maresca, who was appointed in 2024, had managed 67 senior matches, secured a Championship title, and served as an assistant to Pep Guardiola during Manchester City's 2022-23 Treble-winning season. A mid-season managerial change was not initially part of Chelsea's planned transitions, with statements made by Maresca at the close of last year preceding the ownership's decision to initiate a change.
Rosenior's recent performance at Strasbourg includes no victories in his last five matches, two wins in the last ten, and a loss of 13 points from winning positions during the current season. French football expert Julien Laurens stated on BBC Radio 5 Live his belief that Chelsea's owners positioned Rosenior at Strasbourg to prepare him for a future role at Chelsea, citing his performance in improving the team's standing last season.
Connections Within Club Structure
Rosenior has established professional relationships with key personnel at Stamford Bridge:
- He first met Chelsea's co-sporting directors Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart over 15 years ago while playing for Brighton.
- Sam Jewell, Chelsea's director of global recruitment, previously collaborated with Rosenior when Rosenior coached Brighton's Under-23s.
- Rosenior also worked with Stewart during his tenure as an analyst at Hull.
- Last summer, Rosenior traveled to the United States with Strasbourg president Marc Keller to meet with Chelsea's leadership, including owners Behdad Eghbali and Todd Boehly, who have made consistent visits to Strasbourg.
- These existing connections are cited as a potential advantage for his integration into the club's operational structure. Chelsea maintains contingency plans for the head coach role, and Rosenior had been identified as a candidate due to the established connection with BlueCo and regular communication.
Club Strategy and Development Framework
Under the ownership of the Todd Boehly-Clearlake consortium, Chelsea has engaged in extensive player trading in the transfer market and implemented a strategy of issuing long-term contracts. Strasbourg's initial hiring of Rosenior was part of a coaching development framework, mirroring Chelsea's approach to loaning young, Chelsea-owned players to Strasbourg for experience. The tactical systems employed by Strasbourg's teams and Chelsea's academy are consistent with that of Chelsea's first team, a strategy designed to facilitate the transition of players and coaches across the club's structure.
Fan Response and Club Environment
Expressions of fan discontent have been noted, with supporters chanting the name of former owner Roman Abramovich during a recent match against Manchester City. A group of fans is also planning a protest prior to an upcoming Premier League fixture against Brentford. The prospect of Rosenior's appointment has elicited commentary from some Chelsea fans and pundits, who have drawn comparisons to the club's past selections of high-profile managers under the Roman Abramovich era.
Recent Team Performance and Interim Leadership
Chelsea secured a point against Manchester City in a recent fixture, following a goal from Enzo Fernandez. Calum McFarlane, Chelsea's under-21s coach, managed the team for this match. His familiarity with the first team's playing style was attributed to the consistent tactical system used throughout the club's various levels. For this game, Chelsea was without several players, including Moises Caicedo (suspended), and Marc Cucurella, Robert Sanchez, and Wesley Fofana (due to injury or illness). Captain Reece James, Tosin Adarabioyo, and Enzo Fernandez were noted for their contributions during the match.
Potential Appointment Details
Liam Rosenior's potential appointment is contingent on Strasbourg identifying a new coach, with a decision regarding Strasbourg's new leadership anticipated by Tuesday, following Monday being designated for final candidate selection. Should negotiations progress, Rosenior's initial match as Chelsea manager could be against Fulham, a club where he played between 2003 and 2007.