Sport

Chelsea appoint Liam Rosenior as new head coach after Enzo Maresca sacking

Lunga Biyela|Published

Former Strasbourg manager Liam Rosenior has been appointed as the new head coach of Premier League giants Chelsea.

Image: AFP

Former Fulham and Hull City defender Liam Rosenior has been appointed as the new head coach of Premier League giants Chelsea.

The 41-year-old Rosenior, who signed a six-year contract, joins the Blues following the sudden firing of Enzo Maresca. A full back in his playing days, Rosenior had an 18-year career, where he spent several seasons at Chelsea’s fierce rivals, Fulham.

Before taking on the Chelsea job, Rosenior had been the manager of French club Strasbourg since July 2024. He guided the club to a seventh-place finish in Ligue 1 last season, and it’s the same position they occupy at the halfway stage of the current campaign.

"I am extremely humbled and honoured to be appointed head coach of Chelsea Football Club. This is a club with a unique spirit and a proud history of winning trophies," the former England under-21 international said in a statement released by the club.

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“My job is to protect that identity and create a team that reflects these values in every game we play as we continue winning trophies. To be entrusted with this role means the world to me and I want to thank all involved for the opportunity and faith in undertaking this job. I will give everything to bring the success this club deserves.

“I believe deeply in teamwork, unity, togetherness and working for one another, and those values will be at the heart of everything we do. They will be the foundation of our success.”

Maresca was fired last week for what was reported to be a breakdown in relationship with the club’s board.

Without him in the dugout, Chelsea earned a credible 1-all draw against title-chasing Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday.

Chelsea currently occupy fifth place in the Premier League, and their first game under Rosenior will be a Wednesday evening clash against Fulham, where he spent four years as a player.

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