Argyle offered the now 41-year-old a quick route back into management, but it was one Rosenior, who also played ten games on loan at Torquay United back in 2004 when his father, Leroy, was manager, was to turn down.
09:18, 07 Jan 2026
Liam Rosenior has done a terrific job at Strasbourg since his surprise sacking by Hull
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(Image: Steven Paston/PA Wire)
WHEN Liam Rosenior was dismissed by Hull City and out of work in the summer of 2024, he was apparently approached by Plymouth Argyle, who were looking for a new head coach. Now, he is the new man in charge of Premier League giants Chelsea.
Rosenior’s sacking by Hull certainly caused a lot of controversy at the time with many Tigers fans impressed and happy with the work he was doing. Hull had finished the 2023/24 Championship season in seventh, one place and three points outside the play-offs, but even that was not enough to appease owner and chairman Acun Ilicali, who cited a difference in their visions for the future of the club as the reason behind Rosenior’s dismissal.
Argyle offered the now 41-year-old a quick route back into management, but it was one Rosenior, who also played ten games on loan at Torquay United back in 2004 when his father, Leroy, was manager, was to turn down.
Two months after reportedly rejecting Argyle’s advances, French Ligue 1 side Strasbourg came knocking, seeking a replacement for Patrick Vieira. And after a seventh-placed finish in his maiden season, the club qualified for the UEFA Conference League.
Strasbourg finished seventh last season as well and were also seventh when Chelsea came knocking and prised him away from Eastern France this week.
Rosenior’s appointment will be the eighth manager – caretaker or otherwise – since the takeover of the Blues in May 2022 by Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital-owned BlueCo multi-club ownership group that also controls Strasbourg, who Boehly acquired a majority stake back in June 2023.
Rosenior, who succeeds Enzo Maresca at Stamford Bridge, said Strasbourg first-team coach Kalifa Cisse, assistant head coach Justin Walker – who spent a year at Exeter City in 2002/03 – and head of analysis Ben Warner will join him and form his backroom staff at Stamford Bridge.
Speaking of his appointment, Rosenior said: “I am extremely humbled and honoured to be appointed head coach of Chelsea. This is a club with a unique spirit and a proud history of winning trophies and my job is to protect that identity and create a team that reflects these values in every game we play as we continue winning trophies.
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“To be entrusted with this role means the world to me and I want to thank all involved for the opportunity and faith in undertaking this job.”