Chelsea appoint Liam Rosenior as new head coach on long-term deal

By Johnson Arua

Chelsea have officially confirmed the appointment of Liam Rosenior as their new head coach, handing the 41-year-old a six-and-a-half-year contract that will keep him at Stamford Bridge until 2032.

Rosenior joins the Blues from French side Strasbourg, where he served as head coach and guided the club to a seventh-place finish in Ligue 1 last season.

He becomes Chelsea’s latest managerial appointment following the departure of Enzo Maresca, who stepped down on January 1 amid reports that his position had become untenable.

Reacting to his appointment, Rosenior described the role as a dream opportunity.
“I am extremely humbled and honoured to be appointed head coach of Chelsea Football Club,” he said. “This is a club with a unique spirit and a proud history of winning trophies.”

Although officially in charge, Rosenior will not be on the touchline immediately. He is set to take charge of Chelsea’s FA Cup third-round clash away to Championship side Charlton Athletic on Saturday.

However, interim coach Callum McFarlane, who oversaw Sunday’s 1-1 Premier League draw at Manchester City, will remain in charge for Wednesday’s league fixture against Fulham, with Rosenior watching from the stands.

Rosenior had earlier confirmed his imminent move to Chelsea during a Strasbourg press conference, insisting he was ready for the challenge.

“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.”

A former defender, Rosenior enjoyed a 16-year playing career with clubs including Bristol City, Fulham, Reading, Hull City and Brighton before retiring in 2018.

He later impressed in management, narrowly missing out on Championship play-offs with Hull City in 2024 before moving to Strasbourg, a club owned by Chelsea’s parent company, BlueCo.

Despite having limited experience at elite level and managing fewer than 100 senior matches, Rosenior dismissed concerns about the size of the task.

“I am so excited for the future. My whole life has worked towards becoming a coach. To be given this opportunity at a world-class club is something I have always dreamed of," he said.
He also acknowledged the difficulty of leaving Strasbourg but admitted Chelsea was an opportunity he could not refuse.
“There are certain clubs you just cannot turn down. If I didn’t think I was ready, I wouldn’t have accepted it.”

Chelsea now turn their focus to stabilising their season under new leadership as Rosenior begins a long-term project at the club.