It did not take long for Chelsea to find a replacement for Enzo Maresca, who departed the club on New Year’s Day.
On Tuesday, Chelsea confirmed the appointment of Liam Rosenior as their new manager.
A young and talented coach who was managing their sister club Strasbourg, the 41-year-old quickly became the frontrunner for the job.
Chelsea are certainly backing the new head coach 👀
Thoughts on the contract, Chelsea fans?
Liam Rosenior and Enzo Maresca
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Chelsea’s appointment of Rosenior was swift, but he was not the only manager who was considered for the job.
Filipe Luis head coach of Flamengo prior to FIFA Intercontinental Cup 2025 Final match between Paris Saint-Germain FC and Flamengo
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Chelsea interviewed Filipe Luis
According to The Telegraph, Chelsea interviewed their former defender Filipe Luis during their search for Maresca’s successor.
He actually would have cost less than what Chelsea paid to take Rosenior from Strasbourg, the same outlet reports.
Luis is currently in charge of Flamengo, where the 40-year-old is doing an excellent job. He has won multiple trophies at the Brazilian club since becoming their manager in 2024.
Liam Rosenior’s style is fast-paced ⏩
Does that suit this Chelsea squad?
Liam Rosenior stats
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As a player, Luis spent time at both Flamengo and Chelsea. He was at the latter for just one season but managed to win the Premier League title before departing.
Luis is now proving himself as a manager in his home country, but in the end, Chelsea opted for Rosenior as Maresca’s replacement. It will be Calum McFarlane on the touchline for the Blues’ game against Fulham on Wednesday, though.
New Head Coach of Chelsea Liam Rosenior at Chelsea Training Ground
Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
What Filipe Luis told Enzo Maresca about Chelsea at Club World Cup
Chelsea fans already know what Luis the manager is capable of. He guided Flamengo to an impressive 3-1 victory over the Conference League holders at the Club World Cup.
In the end, it was quite a comfortable win for Flamengo, who were helped by Nicolas Jackson’s red card.
However, Luis was very worried about playing Chelsea and told Maresca as much.
Discussing Chelsea in his post-match press conference, Luis said: “I told Maresca I lost four nights sleep because they have the most complete tactical play in Europe and the players understand their model.”
Luis is still a very young manager at 40. With the trajectory that the retired Brazil international is on, he may very well end up in the Stamford Bridge dugout one day.
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