Liam Rosenior has been confirmed as the new manager of Chelsea, bringing an emotional end to his successful tenure at Strasbourg.
Chelsea announced the hiring of Rosenior on a six-year contract after he left Strasbourg on Tuesday.
The 41-year-old described the move to Stamford Bridge as an “honour” he simply could not refuse, citing the allure of the Club World Cup champions and a desperate desire to return home to his family.
Rosenior replaced the recently sacked Enzo Maresca’s at the helm after signing a contract that runs until 2032.
The attack-minded Rosenior becomes the second Black Chelsea coach after Ruud Gullit.
After days of intense speculation linking the Englishman with a return to the Premier League, Rosenior has broken his silence on why he accepted the invitation to lead one of global football’s heavyweights.
The appointment marks a meteoric rise for the young tactician, who has spent the last year and half rehabilitating his reputation refining his craft in Ligue 1.
Rosenior’s previous job include a stint as assistant coach at Derby to Wayne Rooney, who praised his “incredible” work ethic and attention to details.
Rosenior has never managed a Premier League club. Chelsea last week parted ways with Enzo Maresca who spent 18 months in charge.
The fifth permanent coach since BlueCO ownership took over in 2022, Rosenior will inherit a team which is capable of high-level success but has lacked consistency.
Chelsea is the fifth in the League with 17-point gap to leader Arsenal.
“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.
“Getting the Chelsea job is rare top-level opportunity for a Black British coach in Premier League.
“This opportunity for me is something, I can’t turndown at this moment in my life”, Rosenior told press conference in Strasbourg, adding that the perspective to being reunited with his family was an extra incentive.
“It means that I can go home and see my kids. I’m away from my children, I missed them. And I wanted to make the sacrifice of not seeing them worth it, with the success that we have here”, he said.
Son of former player and coach Leroy Rosenior, Liam played in the Premier League as full-back for Fulham, Reading, Hull and Brighton over the course of a 16-year professional career, as well as for England Under-21s.
He returned to Hull for his first head coach role in 2022 and joined Strasbourg two years later. After replacing Patrick Vierra, he oversaw a large-scale rebuilding project and delivered quick results for a youthful squad, guilding the development of players such as a Joaquin Panichelli and Emmanuel Emergha.
-9News Nigeria.
