Chelsea have announced the appointment of Strasbourg manager Liam Rosenior as their new head coach, handing the 41-year-old Englishman a five-and-a-half-year contract with an option for an additional season.
Rosenior replaces Enzo Maresca, who left the club on New Year’s Day following a difficult run of results and behind-the-scenes issues that brought an end to his 19-month tenure.
The former Hull City and Derby County boss will watch Wednesday’s Premier League clash against Fulham from the stands at Craven Cottage before taking charge of his first training session on Thursday.
His first match in the dugout will be Saturday’s FA Cup third-round tie against Charlton Athletic.
Rosenior joined Strasbourg in July 2024 and guided the French side to a seventh-place finish in Ligue 1 last season.
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He departs following Saturday’s 1-1 draw at Nice, which extended Strasbourg’s winless league run to five matches. They currently sit seventh in Ligue 1 and top their UEFA Conference League group.
Chelsea confirmed the appointment shortly after Rosenior held a farewell press conference in France, where he revealed he had verbally agreed to terms with the Premier League club.
“It looks like I’m going to be the next manager of that football club [Chelsea],” Rosenior said at the time. “I haven’t signed yet, but everything is agreed, and it will probably go through in the next few hours.”
Reacting to his appointment, Rosenior expressed pride at taking charge of the London club.
“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. My job is to protect that identity and create a team that reflects these values in every game we play.
“I believe deeply in teamwork, unity and togetherness. Those values will be at the heart of everything we do and will be the foundation of our success.”
