Chelsea have confirmed the appointment of Liam Rosenior as their new head coach, handing the 41-year-old a long-term contract running until 2032.
Rosenior arrives from Ligue 1 side Strasbourg, where he spent the past 18 months in charge. The move sees him switch within the BlueCo ownership group, which controls both Strasbourg and Chelsea, and follows the club’s decision to part company with Enzo Maresca on New Year’s Day.
The former defender becomes Chelsea’s fifth permanent head coach since 2021, succeeding Thomas Tuchel, Graham Potter, Mauricio Pochettino and Maresca in a period of continued transition at Stamford Bridge.
What did Rosenior say?
Speaking on Chelsea’s official website, Rosenior described the role as the pinnacle of his career.
“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,” he said.
“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 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.
“I want our fans to be proud of who we are and what we represent in every single game that we play. They are the soul of this enormous, historic and huge football club.
“I cannot wait to meet you all. I cannot wait to get started.”
Rosenior’s managerial career so far
Rosenior’s rise has been steady rather than spectacular. After a 17-year playing career that included Premier League spells with Brighton & Hove Albion, Hull City, Reading and Fulham, he retired at the end of the 2017/18 season and moved quickly into coaching.
His first post came at Brighton in August 2018 as assistant manager of the Under-23 side, before a series of roles at Derby County. That period included a 12-match spell as caretaker manager at the start of the 2022/23 campaign.
Derby would also provide Rosenior with his first permanent managerial appointment. He took charge of 78 matches across one-and-a-half seasons and came close to the Championship play-offs in 2023/24, finishing seventh, just three points behind Norwich City.
In 2024/25, Rosenior moved to Strasbourg and impressed in his first season in French football. The club finished seventh in Ligue 1, securing qualification for the UEFA Conference League. This season, Strasbourg sit seventh again, six points behind sixth-placed Rennes, and have already reached the knockout stages of the Conference League after winning five and drawing one match in the league phase.
What are Rosenior’s first five Chelsea matches?
Rosenior could make his Chelsea debut away at Fulham in the Premier League on Wednesday evening. That match begins a run of five consecutive fixtures in London across four different competitions.
Chelsea then travel to Charlton Athletic in the FA Cup before returning to Stamford Bridge for three home games: an EFL Cup clash with Arsenal, a Premier League meeting with Brentford, and a UEFA Champions League fixture against Cypriot side Pafos.
For Rosenior, the challenge is clear: bring stability and success to a club still searching for a settled identity, and prove that Chelsea’s faith in a long-term appointment has finally been well placed. Photo by James Boyes from UK, Wikimedia commons.