In what has been an open secret, Chelsea on Tuesday appointed RC Strasbourg’s Liam Rosenior as head coach after sacking Enzo Maresca last week. A rather left field choice, Rosenior, who has signed a contract till 2032, led Strasbourg to European qualification for the first time in 19 years in his first season.
‘My job is to protect that identity and create a team that reflects these values in every game we play as we continue winning trophies. To be entrusted with this role means the world to me and I want to thank all involved for the opportunity and faith in undertaking this job. I will give everything to bring the success this club deserves. I believe deeply in teamwork, unity, togetherness and working for one another, and those values will be at the heart of everything we do. They will be the foundation of our success,” Rosenior said in a statement released by Chelsea.
‘I am excited to work with this extremely talented group of players and staff, to build strong connections on and off the pitch, and to create an environment where everyone feels united and driven by the same goal. There is a real hunger to win, and I will give everything, every single day, to help this team compete and win at the very highest level to make everyone connected and proud to be a part of Chelsea Football Club,” he added.
Chelsea Football Club is delighted to announce the appointment of Liam Rosenior as head coach of the men’s team.
Welcome to Chelsea, Liam! 🔵
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) January 6, 2026
Who is Liam Rosenior?
Rosenior had replaced Patrick Vieira in the Strasbourg dug out in July 2024 and helped his side finish 7th in Ligue 1 in the 2024/25 season which allowed them to qualify for the UEFA Conference League. In the current season, Strasbourg are in the 7th position with 7 wins, 3 draws and 7 losses. In the Conference League, they are positioned at the top 2ith 16 points, winning 5 matches and drawing 1.
Before coming to Strasbourg, Rosenior had coached Hull City after being appointed in 2022. He, however, was sacked in 2024 after a seventh-place finish saw Hull narrowly miss out on the play-offs. Before Hull, he was also the assistant coach of Derby County, assisting head coach Wayne Rooney. After Rooney’s resignation in June 2022, Rosenior was the interim coach till September 21, 2022. He ultimately left the club after Paul Warne was appointed new coach.
In his playing career, Rosenior has represented many clubs with the English player making his debut with Bristol City in 2002. He then would join Fulham in 2003 but had to wait till 2004 to make his debut for the club. It was a league cup tie where he would be sent off for simulation. His Premier League debut was against Manchester United in a 1-1 draw which earned him the man of the match award.
In 2007, Rosenior joined Reading where he would stay till 2009 before being loaned out to Ipswich Town. From there, he joined Hull City in 2010 and stayed there till 2015 before joining Brighton. He stayed with the Seagulls till he retired in 2018.
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