Chelsea-bound boss Liam Rosenior has addressed the media in France on Tuesday morning as he prepares to bid farewell to Strasbourg, who he has managed since July 2024
Ryan Taylor
08:42, 06 Jan 2026Updated 08:53, 06 Jan 2026
Liam Rosenior
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Liam Rosenior is set to join Chelsea
Liam Rosenior has confirmed he expects to become Chelsea's new head coach imminently, pending the completion of the formal process.
The English boss was back in France on Tuesday morning to speak with the media and he's made it clear he now expects to join the Blues following face-to-face talks with the Club World Cup champions in London on Monday.
He told the press when reflecting upon a whirlwind few days: “I didn’t know what was going to happen on Saturday night.
"What's happened since, I was given the chance to speak to, for me, actually not for me, it's the truth that they're one of the biggest football clubs in the world.
"They were Club World Cup champions and it's an honour for me to be associated with a club like that.
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"Now, on this day, it looks like I'm going to be the next manager of that football club.
"It will probably go through in the next few hours. I'm here because I care about this club. I felt it was right for me to answer your questions physically before I move on to the next step in my career."
Following the sacking of Enzo Maresca, Rosenior flew to London on Sunday after Strasbourg's 1-1 Ligue 1 draw at Nice the previous day.
He was accompanied by Strasbourg president Marc Keller and sporting director David Weir and returned to France on Monday evening.
It's understood Keller has fought tooth and nail to keep Rosenior but his efforts to retain the services of the highly-rated 42-year-old have ultimately proven unsuccessful.
Caretaker boss Calum McFarlane will remain in charge of Chelsea for tomorrow night's west London derby against Fulham at Craven Cottage.
Liam Rosenior
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Liam Rosenior is expected to take charge of his first game as Chelsea boss on Saturday at Charlton(Image: 2025 Franco Arland)
The current direction of travel is that Rosenior will then lead the team for his first match at the helm on Saturday in the FA Cup third-round at Charlton Athletic.
Rosenior also shared his pain at departing Strasbourg, who he guided to a seventh-place finish last season.
He continued: "My whole life I have worked to be a coach. To be presented this opportunity to manage a world-class football club is something I've dreamed of. I'm emotional. This is my last day, the last time, that I wake up as Strasbourg manager."
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When asked if the appointment is bad timing for Strasbourg, whose fans have protested against their involvement in the BlueCo project, Rosenior added: "We will see in the future. In life, you cannot guarantee anything good or bad. Good things or bad things can happen.
"What I would say is that I travelled yesterday with Marc and David to not only take an opportunity but also make sure this club moves forward.
"Whoever comes in will be of very high calibre help this club be successful for years to come."