Liam Rosenior has made a notable admission about West Ham following his eyebrow-raising appointment at London rivals Chelsea.
There is no love lost between West Ham and Chelsea, on or off the pitch.
In fact after Millwall and Spurs, Chelsea were traditionally West Ham’s fiercest rivals.
That has changed slightly with the Blues elevated to a different level by the mega money of Roman Abramovich and now their American owners.
Chelsea fans taunted the Hammers for years after taking the likes of John Terry, Frank Lampard, Joe Cole and Glen Johnson from east to west London.
Rosenior’s big West Ham admission after being hired by Chelsea
‘West Ham’s our feeder club’ the Blues used to chant with good reason.
Games between the two clubs had added spice when the likes of Terry and Lampard – both from a family of West Ham fans – were involved.
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The Hammers got a measure of revenge by taking on Declan Rice when he was discarded by Chelsea.
Rice went on to become one of West Ham’s best players of the modern era, leading them to a first major trophy for 43 years and then being sold for a pure £105m profit.
Chelsea Head Coach Liam Rosenior at his first press conference
Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Enzo Maresca was another with ties to both clubs having been assistant boss at the London Stadium before ending up manager at Stamford Bridge.
Now there is another link between West Ham and Chelsea in the Blues dugout.
Liam Rosenior has been appointed as Maresca’s successor in an eyebrow-raising move.
The jury is well and truly out given Rosenior’s lack of top level experience and Chelsea’s propensity to demand success.
Now Liam Rosenior has made a big West Ham admission after being hired by Chelsea.
Rosenior’s dad loved by West Ham for destroying Chelsea
Modern day Chelsea fans may not know that their new manager’s dad is a hero to West Ham fans for destroying the club his son now manages.
Leroy Rosenior was at West Ham for four years between 1988 and 1992 and remains fondly remembered for his contribution.
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He first joined the Irons from Fulham, providing experience, physicality and a reliable goal threat during a transitional period for the Hammers.
Although not considered a striker who was the most pleasing on the eye, Rosenior was effective. Strong in the air, intelligent in his movement and adept at leading the line, he was an expert at bringing others into play.
What West Ham would do for a forward like Leroy right now.
Former West Ham striker Leroy Rosenior
Photo by Julian Herbert – The FA
One of the defining moments of Leroy Rosenior’s West Ham career came against Chelsea – the club his son Liam will now manage.
He netted a memorable brace against the Blues in a famous 4–1 victory at Upton Park on May 2nd 1988.
Those strikes endeared him to supporters and cemented his reputation as a striker who delivered in big London derbies.
At the time, a young impressionable Liam was watching his idol dad in awe.
But now Liam Rosenior has admitted he won’t be speaking highly of West Ham now he has been hired by Chelsea – despite his affiliation through his dad.
When discussing his football journey after taking over at Blues boss following a stint at sister club Strasbourg, Rosenior revealed he fell in love with the game at West Ham’s beloved Upton Park.
But he has admitted he will now have to tone down his affection for the Hammers after landing his new job.
New Chelsea boss admits he has to tone down love for West Ham
“You know, it started at West Ham when my dad was playing,” Rosenior told former West Ham and Chelsea hero Joe Cole for TNT Sports.
“And you know, I’m manager of Chelsea now, so I’m not going to speak too highly about that club.
“But that’s where it started, it was in Upton Park 10 minutes before a game. John Lyall was the manager and I could smell the deep heat.
“I was four years old. I was able to warm up with the with the players.
“So, it’s just in my blood and it’s what I’ve always wanted to do.”
You can watch the full interview in the video above.
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