Liam Rosenior has said his task is to lift Chelsea to the “next level” as he gets ready to take charge of the club for the first time when the Blues face action on Saturday.
The 41-year-old steps into one of the most scrutinised roles in English football after an impressive spell at Strasbourg, a club that, like Chelsea, operates under the ownership of BlueCo.
Rosenior replaces Enzo Maresca, who left Stamford Bridge on January 1 despite securing two trophies in his debut campaign, winning both the Club World Cup and the Europa Conference League.
However, Chelsea’s domestic form has sharply declined, with just one victory from their last nine Premier League matches, a run that has dropped them to eighth place. That slide has intensified expectations on Rosenior to guide the club back into the Champions League places by securing a top-four finish next season.
“The talent levels I have seen over the last few days, the ability levels are world class,” Rosenior said ahead of Chelsea’s FA Cup visit to second-tier Charlton.
“The previous coach Enzo has done a good job tactically and it is my job to take it to the next level, and me and my staff are going to work very hard to do that.
“If you are scared or fearful, there is no point being a coach. I am going to work 24 hours a day. I am going to push them to try and be successful.”
Rosenior observed from the stands on Wednesday as Chelsea suffered a 2-1 defeat away to west London rivals Fulham, a match that saw frustration spill over among travelling supporters.
Banners and chants at Craven Cottage criticised BlueCo’s stewardship of the club, reflecting growing fan unrest following Maresca’s exit, which made him the fourth permanent Chelsea manager to depart in just three and a half years since the American-backed consortium took control.
Despite the turbulence, Rosenior dismissed suggestions that he has been appointed merely to follow instructions from above.
“I don’t think it is possible to be in this job and not be your own man,” he said.
“I understand, I am not an alien and I know what is being said in the press, but there is no way you can be a manager if you don’t make the decisions for yourself.
“We have had huge success at Strasbourg and I intend to work the same way here.”
Since BlueCo’s takeover, Chelsea have pursued a recruitment strategy centred on signing young players from across the world, a policy that has drawn mixed reactions.
One of Maresca’s frustrations during his tenure was the lack of experienced figures in the squad, which he felt contributed to inconsistency on the pitch.
Rosenior, however, expressed confidence in the long-term vision, pointing to his experience in France as evidence that the model can deliver results.
“A club of this stature, the fans want success and they have every right to want success now. My job, to win over the fans, I have to win football games,” he said.
“We’re trying to build things here in a different way. I’m very confident that in time we will show everyone why we have done it in this way.”
What you should know
Liam Rosenior’s appointment continues Chelsea’s pattern of managerial change under BlueCo, with the club prioritising a long-term project built around young talent.
While this strategy has produced trophies in Europe, inconsistent league results have heightened pressure from supporters demanding immediate success.
Rosenior’s challenge lies in balancing the owners’ developmental vision with the urgent need for Champions League qualification, knowing that results, rather than promises, will ultimately determine how quickly he wins over fans at Stamford Bridge.
