In the embargoed section of yesterday’s press conference, Liam Rosenior gave some very personal answers about the unfair mockery he’s had since he arrived at Chelsea.
Rosenior addresses the “memes” and mockery since Chelsea appointment
The result of Rosenior's first touch against Arsenal.
The result of Rosenior’s first touch against Arsenal.
“I know [about the memes] because I’ve got teenage children,” Rosenior in quotes picked up by the Evening Standard.
“They’re on social media. It affects them. It affects my parents. It affects my family.”
“But I knew walking into this job that it was going to happen. It’s normal. When you’re prepared for it, it makes you smile. I’m a confident person. And if you’re affected by things like that you shouldn’t be in this job.
“Maybe my background and my coaching and being at a club the size of this is different. It’s different. It’s different,” Rosenior responded when he was asked why he thought he was getting harsher treatment than some other new coaches.
“I’m not afraid to be myself. If I wear glasses, if I sound a little bit over the top when I speak, or articulate myself in a certain way, or I don’t look like a manager, it doesn’t bother me at all.
“I’m not a massive name. I’m from a different type of club and have a different type of character. I’m more worried about how it affects my kids than how it affects me.”
He’s going about all this in just the right way – he knows that this was inevitable, he’s not getting precious about it, and instead of changing how he is, he just needs to keep getting good results. The mockery will soon turn to praise if he does.
In other news…
Cole Palmer returned from his groin injury in the first edition of this game, but it wasn’t enough to save Chelsea form a defeat. Both the attacker and the Blues had a tough period following that defeat. Perhaps tonight can see a reversal of all that?
Chelsea can expect a major test tonight against Leeds. The Whites will be really motivated after beating us in the first league meeting between the two sides earlier this season, and the Blues will want revenge for that defeat. Liam Rosenior has outlined the opposition’s main threat.
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Liam Rosenior speaks after a Leeds draw.
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Liam Rosenior speaks after Chelsea's draw with Leeds.