Updated / Tuesday, 6 Jan 2026 09:21
Strasbourg head coach Liam Rosenior announced at a press conference this morning that he is set to become the next Chelsea manager.
The Englishman, who played in the Premier League for Fulham and Hull City, had emerged as the early favourite to succeed to Enzo Maresca at Stamford Bridge.
Rosenior spent two seasons managing Hull City before succeeding Patrick Vieira as Strasbourg head coach, the Ligue 1 club being owned by Chelsea's parent company BlueCo.
"What's happened since \[Saturday\] is that I was given permission to speak to one of the biggest football clubs in the world, who are Club World Cup champions," Rosenior said.
"It's an honour for me to be associated with a club like that. Now, on this day, it looks like I'm going to be the next manager of that football club."
Rosenior was appointed as Strasbourg head coach in the summer of 2024, guiding them to a seventh place finish in Ligue 1 last year, a position they currently hold in the table in this current campaign.
"It's an unbelievable opportunity at an incredible club, the world champions, and one I just couldn't turn down. And I can go home, and see my kids. I have made a sacrifice being away from them.
"It's been the best 18 months of my professional career here at Strasbourg. I have met some incredible people and none of that happens without the hard work of everyone connected with this football club. It's not just Chelsea, I have had interest from other Champion League clubs. But this opportunity, I can't turn down."