Liam Rosenior has been announced as Chelsea’s new manager, bringing an emotional conclusion to his successful spell in Strasbourg.
The 41-year-old called the transfer to Stamford Bridge as a “honour” he couldn’t turn down, noting the appeal of the Club World Cup champions and a desperate want to return home to his family.
Rosenior was confirmed as the next Blues manager on Tuesday morning, succeeding the recently departed Enzo Maresca and signing a contract that extends until 2032. After days of strong speculation associating the Englishman with a return to the Premier League, Rosenior has spoken out, explaining why he accepted the chance to manage one of global football’s great giants.
The appointment represents a spectacular climb for the youthful strategist, who has spent the past year and a half rebuilding his reputation and honing his trade in Ligue 1. His exit from Strasbourg, while predicted given the hierarchy’s ownership structure, was marked by apparent sadness as he spoke to the media following his final game in charge in France.
Rosenior spoke openly about the frantic nature of the discussions, revealing that while his loyalty to Strasbourg remained unwavering until the final whistle, a call from West London changed everything. The attraction of running the London club was too strong to resist.
“I was fully focused on Strasbourg’s last match but what has happened since is I have been given permission – one of the biggest clubs in the world – who are Club World Cup champions,” Rosenior said. “It is an honour to speak to a club like that and on this day it looks like I will be the manager of that football club.”
