Liam Rosenior has confirmed that he will be the next Chelsea manager, replacing Enzo Maresca who left the club on New Year’s Day.
The 41-year-old is leaving his role as Strasbourg boss to take charge at Stamford Bridge, his first job in the Premier League.
The former Hull City, Brighton and Fulham player steps up to Chelsea from the Ligue 1 side, also owned by the Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital-led BlueCo.
It is a huge leap for Rosenior, who is only going into his third job as a permanent manager, having previously in charge of Hull before his move to France.
Speaking at a press conference in France on Tuesday morning, he said: ‘On Saturday, I didn’t know what was going to happen. What has happened since is that I have been allowed to speak with one of the biggest clubs in the world. Now, on this day, it looks like I’m going to be the next manager of that football club.
‘This opportunity for me is something that I cannot turn down in my life right now. “They have an incredible squad, an incredible fanbase and they are Club World Cup champions.
‘I haven’t signed yet, I’ve agreed verbally with Chelsea. Everything is agreed, it will probably go through in the next few hours. I’m here because I care about this club and I thought it was important to answer your questions before I go on with the next stage of my career.’
He added: ‘My whole life I have worked to be a coach. To be presented this opportunity to manage a world-class football club is something I’ve dreamed of. I’m emotional. This is my last day, the last time, that I wake up as Strasbourg manager.’
Maresca’s departure was confirmed on New Year’s Day after a 2-2 draw with Bournemouth at Stamford Bridge.
The Italian had been appointed as manager in the summer of 2024, winning the UEFA Conference League and FIFA Club World Cup in his time in charge.
A statement from the Blues read: ‘Chelsea Football Club and Head Coach Enzo Maresca have parted company.
‘During his time at the Club, Enzo led the team to success in the UEFA Conference League and the FIFA Club World Cup.
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‘Those achievements will remain an important part of the Club’s recent history, and we thank him for his contributions to the Club.
‘With key objectives still to play for across four competitions including qualification for Champions League football, Enzo and the Club believe a change gives the team the best chance of getting the season back on track.
‘We wish Enzo well for the future.’
Rosenior’s coaching career
His playing career ended at Brighton in 2018 but he stayed on with the Seagulls, coaching the under-23 side.
He moved to Derby County as first team coach in 2019 and when Wayne Rooney became the boss in 2021, Rosenior stepped up to assistant manager.
After Rooney’s departure in 2022, Rosenior was briefly interim manager.
His first top job was at Hull City, taking over in November 2022 and surprisingly being sacked at the end of the 2023/24 season despite finishing seventh in the Championship. The season before he took over, the Tigers finished 19th.
Rosenior moved to France to take over at Strasbourg in July 2024, replacing Patrick Vieira, and finishing seventh in his first season. An improvement from 13th the year before.
Who did Liam Rosenior play for?
The London-born full-back started professionally at Bristol City in 2002, before playing for Fulham and Reading, with loan spells at Torquay and Ipswich.
He made the most appearances of his career for Hull, before ending his playing days at Brighton.
The defender was capped for England at Under-21 level.
