Liam Rosenior could've taken charge of his first Premier League match, but the new Chelsea head coach decided to watch from the stands against Fulham, with Charlton in the FA Cup to be his first game
Chelsea's English head coach Liam Rosenior (C) talks with Chelsea's owner US businessman Behdad Eghbali ahead of the English Premier League football match between Fulham and Chelsea at Craven Cottage in London on January 7, 2026
Liam Rosenior was in the stands for Chelsea's away match against Fulham
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Liam Rosenior has admitted there was not enough time for him to take charge of Chelsea against Fulham. The 41-year-old was officially announced as the Blues' new head coach on Tuesday.
Yet, just as he did during the impressive 1-1 draw at Manchester City, U21s manager Calum McFarlane was given the responsibility of leading the squad in the west London derby. The former Strasbourg boss could have demanded to be the man calling the shots from the touchline, but instead chose to observe his new players from the stands.
Rosenior even travelled on the Blues' team-bus which arrived at Craven Cottage. In justifying his choice, he maintained there wouldn't have been adequate time to get the team properly prepared.
When quizzed on his decision not to take the helm at the Cottage, Rosenior told Sky Sports: "Just travel. But mainly the fact that Calum did such an incredible job against Man City.
"The performance of the players, especially in the second half, the energy, the intensity, the quality that they played with. They've supported the lads in a really difficult moment in a really good way.
"I flew over from Strasbourg yesterday morning. It's a difficult timeframe for me to get in the tactical work that I need to get into to give the lads the best chance to win. I've got full faith in Calum and the lads to win the game tonight."
Calum McFarlane, Interim Manager of Chelsea, and Pep Guardiola, Manager of Manchester City, shake hands prior to the Premier League match between Manchester City and Chelsea at Etihad Stadium on January 04, 2026 in Manchester, England
McFarlane secured a credible draw against Pep Guardiola's Manchester City(Image: 2026 Chelsea FC)
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The match against Marco Silva's team carries huge significance for Chelsea. Going into the fixture, they sat just three points adrift of fourth-placed Liverpool, yet worryingly only four points clear of 14th-placed Crystal Palace.
Rosenior won't have liked what he saw in the first half, as Marc Cucurella saw red for pulling down Harry Wilson last man. Raul Jimenez then gave Fulham the lead in the second period.
The former Hull City boss has inherited the role at a challenging juncture. Nevertheless, he remains committed to instilling his footballing principles into his youthful Chelsea squad.
Speaking about his blueprint for the Blues, he explained: "Every manager has an idea of how they want to play. That's what makes you a coach.
New Head Coach of Chelsea Liam Rosenior at Chelsea Training Ground on January 6, 2026 in Cobham, England
Rosenior signed a six-and-a-half year contract which expires in 2032(Image: 2026 Chelsea FC)
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"I have an idea of the way I want to play. It has to suit the players. I think that's one of the reasons why I've been brought to the club.
"I think my style fits the players perfectly, but you have to be able to adapt. In terms of tactics, formations and systems, that's not the most important thing.
"The most important thing for me is intensity, running, spirit, quality and you can do that in many different ways in football."
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