Liam Rosenior has confirmed that he will be the new head coach of Chelsea, succeeding Enzo Maresca, who was sacked on New Year's Day. Rosenior announced his departure from Strasbourg at a press conference on Tuesday morning, January 6, 2026, stating that the opportunity to manage Chelsea was one he couldn't refuse.
The move comes after positive meetings in London with the Chelsea hierarchy. Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano reported that an agreement was at the final stages, with Rosenior expected to be appointed this week. Romano stated that the announcement was imminent.
Rosenior's appointment comes after a swift managerial search following Maresca's dismissal. Maresca's departure occurred less than six months after guiding the Blues to Club World Cup glory. Rosenior quickly emerged as the frontrunner for the Chelsea job. Chelsea's board and sporting directors are reportedly big fans of Rosenior.
The BlueCo consortium, which owns both Chelsea and Strasbourg, sees Rosenior as a long-term option. Rosenior has spent a year and a half as the head coach of Strasbourg, Chelsea's sister club, guiding them to seventh position in Ligue 1 for the last season. BlueCo wanted to ensure Rosenior's replacement at Strasbourg was secured before finalizing his move to Chelsea.
Rosenior's tactical approach is reportedly similar to Maresca's, which should provide some continuity for the Chelsea squad. He aims to combine "the beautiful with the practical" in his style of play. Rosenior is known for his tactical flexibility, often adjusting his backline based on the opposition. He also believes in personalized man-management for each player.
While some Chelsea fans may have hoped for a bigger name, Rosenior is considered a "logical choice" by the Chelsea hierarchy. He has previously worked with key figures at Chelsea, including co-sporting directors Paul Winstanley and Lawrence Stewart, and director of global recruitment Sam Jewell. The Chelsea hierarchy also considers him to be "media-savvy".
Rosenior's first match in charge could be against Fulham in the Premier League on Wednesday, January 8, 2026. However, reports suggest his debut may be delayed until Chelsea's FA Cup third-round match against Charlton Athletic on Saturday. Until Rosenior's arrival, U-21 coach Calum McFarlane will continue as caretaker manager. McFarlane oversaw Chelsea's recent 1-1 draw against Manchester City.
Other names considered for the Chelsea job included Porto's Francesco Farioli and Flamengo's Filipe Luís. Former Wolves manager Gary O'Neil and Minnesota United's Eric Ramsay are potential candidates to replace Rosenior at Strasbourg.
