Liam Rosenior revealed on Tuesday that he has verbally agreed to become the next manager of Premier League heavyweights Chelsea, describing the move as an opportunity he could not refuse.
“It looks like I am going to be the next manager of that football club (Chelsea),” the English coach stated during a press briefing at his current club, Ligue 1 outfit Strasbourg.
The 41-year-old, who is relatively unknown at the top level, had been strongly linked with the Chelsea job following the dismissal of Enzo Maresca on Thursday. His emergence as the leading candidate was largely attributed to the shared ownership between Chelsea and Strasbourg, both of which fall under the BlueCo consortium.
Despite having no prior experience as a Premier League head coach, Rosenior is set to become the fourth permanent manager appointed by Chelsea since BlueCo completed its takeover of the London club in 2022.
While Chelsea are yet to make an official announcement, discussions were held with Rosenior in London on Monday, further fuelling expectations that the deal is close to completion.
Rosenior explained that he chose to address the situation publicly in Strasbourg out of respect and emotional attachment to the club.
“Everything is agreed and it will probably go through in the next few hours,” he said.
“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.”
The former defender now faces the prospect of intense scrutiny in west London, a level of media attention he has not previously encountered in his managerial career.
Rosenior’s coaching journey began with a brief stint overseeing Brighton’s under-23 side before stepping into senior football in 2019 at Derby County. There, he worked under Phillip Cocu and later served as assistant to Wayne Rooney.
In 2022, he temporarily took charge following Rooney’s departure and later that year was appointed manager of Hull City in the Championship.
After spending just over a year and a half in charge, he was dismissed before taking up the Strasbourg role in July 2024, where he impressed by leading the club to a seventh-place finish last season.
What you should know
Liam Rosenior’s expected appointment signals Chelsea’s continued willingness to take unconventional managerial paths under the BlueCo ownership.
His close ties to Strasbourg, a sister club within the same consortium, have played a key role in his rise as the preferred candidate.
Although his résumé lacks Premier League head coaching experience, Rosenior’s steady progression through English football and recent success in Ligue 1 suggest Chelsea are prioritising long-term vision and structural alignment over immediate star power on the touchline.
