Image Credits: Imago Images
Strasbourg find themselves at a crossroads as they prepare for life after Liam Rosenior, with the highly rated coach closing in on a move to Chelsea. The French side, owned by the BlueCo group that also controls Chelsea, have enjoyed one of their best seasons in years under Rosenior, climbing into the European places in Ligue 1 thanks to his steady work over the past 18 months.
However, Enzo Maresca’s departure from Stamford Bridge and a subsequent breakdown in relations with the Chelsea hierarchy have opened the door for Rosenior to become the Premier League club’s next head coach. The 41-year-old travelled to London over the weekend to push the move closer, leaving Strasbourg’s scrambling to line up a replacement.
And it seems it could be a familiar face for Reds fans, with the Athletic reporting that the Ligue 1 side has held talks with ex-Liverpool coach Gary O’Neil over the vacancy. The Athletic’s Simon Johnson has reported:
“Gary O’Neil has held talks over becoming the new Strasbourg head coach, and a decision is expected later today. Club sources confirmed that if Rosenior is to replace Maresca, he will not be confirmed until Strasbourg have a new head coach, with now former Wolverhampton Wanderers and Bournemouth manager O’Neil in the running.”
“O’Neil, 42, has held talks with the French club and is said to be one of the finalists for the position. There’s a list of three potential candidates that is being whittled down to two before the expected final decision later today. If he is appointed Strasbourg head coach, it will be the first time he has coached outside of England.”
The Englishman has been out of work since his dismissal by Wolverhampton Wanderers in mid-December 2024. Despite being repeatedly linked with a variety of clubs over the past months a concrete offer is yet to materialise. O’Neil’s ties to Liverpool stretch back to August 2020, when he joined Barry Lewtas’ staff as assistant coach for the Reds’ Under-23 side.
Want to get the latest Liverpool news direct to your phone? Join our WhatsApp community by clicking here.