Breaking: Chelsea Appoints Rosenior As Head Coach
Chelsea have confirmed the appointment of Liam Rosenior as their new head coach on a six-and-a-half-year deal.
Rosenior arrives from Strasbourg on a contract that runs until 2032.
He 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 will take charge of Saturday’s FA Cup third-round tie at Championship side Charlton Athletic.
Callum McFarlane, who presided over a 1-1 draw at Manchester City on Sunday, will oversee Wednesday’s Premier League game at Fulham.
Rosenior had confirmed his imminent move to Stamford Bridge at a Strasbourg press conference on Tuesday morning – and said he was “ready” for the job.
The ex-Hull boss said: “I was given permission to speak to one of the biggest clubs in the world.
“It was an honour to be associated with a club like that and, now, it looks like I will be the next manager of that football club,” the 41-year-old said.
Rosenior played for Bristol City, Fulham, Reading, Hull City and Brighton during a 16-year playing career.
After hanging up his boots in 2018, Rosenior almost guided Hull to the Championship play-offs in 2024 and then became head coach of Strasbourg, who are owned by Chelsea’s parent company BlueCo. The French club finished seventh in Ligue 1 last season.
Despite his lack of experience at a top-level club – and having managed barely 100 matches altogether – the incoming head coach insisted his new role was not too big a job to take on.
“I am so excited for the future, my whole life has worked to be a coach and now to be presented this opportunity at a world-class football (club) is something I have always dreamed of,” he said.
“With that is a mixed emotion of sadness of what I am leaving behind. This is the last day I wake up as Strasbourg manager.
“I hope the fans here can understand that. I am looking forward to the challenge, if I didn’t think I was ready, I wouldn’t have accepted it.
“The reality is Strasbourg is not on the level as Chelsea. There are certain clubs you just cannot just turn down. I hope the fans can see that.”
