Chelsea boss Liam Rosenior has described Hull City as “very special” to him ahead of his return to the MKM Stadium as a visiting head coach.
Rosenior spent five years at Hull as a player between 2010 and 2015 before returning to the club as head coach in November 2022.
He did an admirable job as Tigers boss and there was widespread shock when he was relieved of his duties at the end of the 2023/24 season.
The dismissal did not deter Rosenior, who went on to work wonders in France as head coach of Strasbourg.
He landed the Chelsea job last month and on Friday (February 13), will lead the Blues out at Hull in the fourth round of the FA Cup.
Liam Rosenior's Chelsea are preparing to face Hull City in the fourth round of the FA Cup.placeholder image
Liam Rosenior's Chelsea are preparing to face Hull City in the fourth round of the FA Cup. | Mike Egerton/PA Wire
Liam Rosenior on return to Hull City
Ahead of his return to Hull, as reported by the BBC, Rosenior said: “For me, Hull City is very special. My grandma was a season ticket-holder. I've got my family coming up. The club means a lot to me for many reasons.
“Hopefully, we can put on a really good show. I want to do well in this competition. I don't see it any different to a Premier League or Champions League game. We will go there with a team I think can win the game. We will take it seriously."
Chelsea setback and team news
Reflecting on Chelsea’s setback against Leeds, Rosenior said: “[I have a] balanced view - 99 per cent of the game was what I want to see, in terms of with and without the ball, defending set-plays, energy, courage.
“It was very, very good. It was just those moments, of switching off, where we need to improve."
Liam Rosenior has represented Hull City as both a head coach and a player.placeholder image
Liam Rosenior has represented Hull City as both a head coach and a player. | Jonathan Gawthorpe
Chelsea will be without Marc Cucurella for the trip to Hull and it remains to be seen whether captain Reece James will be fit enough to feature.
There will be an appearance for defender Mamadou Sarr, who has been recalled from a loan spell at Strasbourg and is being lined up for minutes against the Tigers.