Chelsea appoint Liam Rosenior: British coach signs SIX-AND-A-HALF-year deal after joining from sister club Strasbourg – as furious French side hit out at ‘humiliating’ and ‘subservient’ relationship with Premier League club

Liam Rosenior has been announced as Chelsea’s new head coach, signing a contract until 2031 with an option for a further year.

The Strasbourg coach admitted at a surprise press conference in France this morning that he had verbally agreed to take over the Premier League club and that his appointment had been approved.

Rosenior is expected to board a private jet from Strasbourg to Farnborough Airport soon for his official opening.

The 41-year-old will make his Blues debut against Charlton Athletic in the FA Cup on Saturday, with manager Calum MacFarlane in charge of Wednesday evening’s West London derby against Fulham.

In a statement released by Chelsea on Tuesday morning, Rosenior said: ‘I am extremely humbled and honored to be appointed as Head Coach of Chelsea Football Club. This is a club with a unique spirit and a proud history of winning trophies.

‘My job is to maintain this identity and create a team that reflects these values ​​in every match we play as we continue to win trophies. It means the world to me to be entrusted with this role and I would like to thank everyone involved for the opportunity and faith to undertake this work. I will give everything to bring this club the success it deserves.

It comes after the 41-year-old admitted this morning that he had ‘verbally agreed’ to take charge of the West London club.

‘I believe deeply in teamwork, unity, solidarity and working for each other, and these values ​​will be at the heart of everything we do. They will be the basis of our success.

‘I’m excited to be working with this incredibly talented group of players and staff, building strong connections on and off the pitch and creating an environment where everyone is united and driven by the same goal.’

The former Hull City manager will bring his two assistants Kalifa Cisse and Justin Walker with him to Stamford Bridge.

Strasbourg president Marc Keller tried hard to keep the Englishman in place but ultimately failed.

He joins a growing list of stars seeking a move between BlueCo-owned clubs Strasbourg and Chelsea; Both Julio Enciso and Ben Chilwell swapped Stamford Bridge for Stade de la Meinau last summer alone.

This is an issue that the Strasbourg Fans’ Federation raised the alarm with this morning in a statement criticizing Rosenior’s departure.

The letter said: ‘Liam Rosenior’s transfer marks another humiliating step in Racing’s subservience to Chelsea. We, along with others, have been trying to raise the alarm about this for two and a half years.

‘The problem goes far beyond mid-season sporting influence and the ambitions of a young coach. It is structural; The future of French club football is at stake.

Rosenior will fly a private jet to Farnborough Airport later this morning

He replaces Enzo Maresca, who left Stamford Bridge last week following a disagreement with the hierarchy

‘Every additional distortion of Marc Keller, every extra minute he spends at the helm of the club, is an insult to the tremendous work done ahead of 2023. What was seen by many as an ugly move last September is increasingly looking like solid advice: he needs to go. Now.

‘FSRCS will work closely with the other three associations actively fighting against multiple ownership and all people of good will to determine the next steps.’

Rosenior held a surprise press conference this morning to say goodbye to Strasbourg and the club’s fans.

It is highly unusual for a manager leaving one club for another to hold a media briefing before everything is confirmed, but Rosenior explained that he thought it was appropriate and decided to make the push out of respect for Strasbourg.

He said: ‘I didn’t know what was going to happen on Saturday. What has happened since then is that I was allowed to speak to one of the biggest clubs in the world.

‘Now, today, it looks like I will be the next manager of that football club. This opportunity for me is something I cannot turn down right now in my life.

‘They’ve got an incredible squad, an incredible fan base and they’ve won the Club World Cup.

I haven’t signed a contract yet, I have made a verbal agreement with Chelsea. Everything has been agreed upon, it will probably be completed within the next few hours. ‘I’m here because I care about this club and I thought it was important to answer your questions before I move on to the next stage of my career.’

Rosenior stepped forward and answered every question asked about Strasbourg, including reporters repeatedly asking him if it was ‘disrespectful’ for Chelsea to take the head coach of their sister team.

He said: ‘Quite the opposite. This shows great respect not for the work I do, but for the work the club does. Chelsea can choose any coach they want in the world. I am emotional. ‘This is my last day, my last day waking up as manager of Strasbourg.’

Rosenior traveled to London on Sunday to take over at Chelsea, who were then drawing 1-1 with Manchester City, and was accompanied by Keller and Strasbourg sporting director David Weir.

“We sat together for seven hours yesterday in different meetings and most of the conversations were about how we can strengthen this team coming from Chelsea,” Rosenior said, amid accusations that Strasbourg was only there to benefit the Blues. ‘The narrative is that this project is solely for the benefit of one club and I think I will be vindicated in time.’

Asked if he was ready to manage Chelsea, Rosenior said: ‘If I didn’t think I was ready I wouldn’t have taken the job.’

The move to Chelsea would also allow Rosenior to reunite with his family, who he says played a big role in his decision to leave Strasbourg.