6th January 2026
January 6 – Chelsea have moved quickly to settle on Enzo Maresca’s successor, appointing Liam Rosenior as their new head coach on a long-term deal that underlines belief and intent.
The 41-year-old arrives from Strasbourg having agreed a five-and-a-half-year contract at Stamford Bridge, with the option of a further season. He replaces Maresca, who departed on New Year’s Day after a turbulent spell in charge.
Rosenior is expected to watch from the stands at Craven Cottage when Chelsea face Fulham on Wednesday, before taking his first training session on Thursday. His first match in charge will come at the weekend, with an FA Cup third-round tie against Charlton Athletic.
In his first comments as Chelsea head coach, Rosenior said: “I am extremely humbled and honoured to be appointed head coach of Chelsea Football Club. To be entrusted with this role means the world to me. I will give everything to bring the success this club deserves.”
The move had been edging closer for several days. Earlier on Tuesday, Rosenior confirmed he had “agreed verbally” to take the job, acknowledging the pull of a club he described as impossible to refuse.
“I cannot turn down this opportunity to join an incredible club, incredible squad who are Club World Cup champions,” he said.
The appointment is an example of BlueCo’s multi-club model in action. Strasbourg, like Chelsea, sit under the Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital’s ownership umbrella, and Rosenior arrives with a small group he already trusts. Strasbourg first-team coach Kalifa Cisse, assistant head coach Justin Walker and head of analysis Ben Warner will all join him in west London.
Rosenior leaves France having significantly enhanced his reputation under Clearlake’s guidance. Appointed by Strasbourg in July 2024, he guided them to seventh in Ligue 1 last season, securing European qualification for the first time in eight years – admittedly equipped with a talented roster of Chelsea loanees.
His final match in charge was a 1-1 draw at Nice on Saturday, extending a run of five league games without a win, though Strasbourg remain seventh domestically and top of the Conference League group.
“The last 18 months have been a joy and the best of my professional career,” Rosenior said. “I will love this club for the rest of my life, but I cannot turn down Chelsea.”
Despite never having managed in the Premier League, Rosenior was clear-eyed about the step up. “I would not have accepted the Chelsea job if I was not ready,” he said. “There are clubs you just cannot turn down.”
Contact the writer of this story, Harry Ewing, at [moc.l1767699689labto1767699689ofdlr1767699689owedi1767699689sni@g1767699689niwe.1767699689yrrah1767699689](javascript:;)