Liam Rosenior is attracting attention from all angles, with his former boss, Acun Ilicali, giving insight into the new Chelsea boss.
This will be a completely new experience for Liam Rosenior. It’s a pressure he will have never felt before, managing a historic club like Chelsea.
There’s a desperation to see the glory days return, especially after tasting silverware twice during 2026 under Enzo Maresca.
Who would you rather have as Chelsea manager right now?
Enzo Maresca or Liam Rosenior 🤜🤛
Liam Rosenior or Enzo Maresca
Photo by Robin Jones – AFC Bournemouth/AFC Bournemouth via Getty Images
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Rosenior’s style of play is certainly more exciting than Maresca, he just needs to be provided the same time to put his plans in place. Let’s not forget, Chelsea will have played seven games since January 10th by the time this month comes to an end.
If Hull City owner, Acun Ilicali’s assessment is anything to go by, then Chelsea fans could be in for a treat.
Hull City owner predicts a Jose Mourinho-esque run for Liam Rosenior at Chelsea
The Hull City owner has predicted that Rosenior will go down the same successful route as Jose Mourinho in his first season as Chelsea boss (as per IPaper).
“For me Liam’s philosophy is a solid, fantastic philosophy but he’s more like a [Pep] Guardiola style of football. It’s perfect for Chelsea and their squad.
“I think he can deliver something to Chelsea like the first period of Jose Mourinho. But I don’t like Guardiola-style football, I like a different style.”
Jose Mourinho’s first tenure at Chelsea from 2004 to 2007 was a transformative era that saw the club secure six trophies and establish themselves as the dominant force in English football.
He famously led the team to back-to-back Premier League titles in 2005 and 2006, ending a 50-year top-flight drought and setting a long-standing defensive record by conceding only 15 goals in a single season.
So if Rosenior is going to repeat that, then Chelsea fans are in for a great surprise.
What have you made of Liam Rosenior’s tactics so far?
Jamie Carragher quote on Liam Rosenior's tactics
Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images/James Gill – Danehouse
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Liam Rosenior’s harsh treatment at Hull City
Despite Rosenior guiding Hull City to a 7th-place finish, their best league position in nearly a decade, and missing the play-offs by just three points, the Hull City owner felt his approach was too conservative.
During his tenure at Hull, Rosenior oversaw 78 matches, recording 27 wins, 28 draws, and 23 losses, taking over a side that were relegation contenders and transforming them into promotion hopefuls.
One big positive was his ability to build one of the meanest defenses that conceded just 60 goals in his final full season. As well as his ability to develop young stars like Liam Delap and Jacob Greaves.
And Chelsea are set to face Hull City in the FA Cup.
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