Liam Rosenior Says Has ‘Agreed Verbally’ To Become Chelsea Manager

Strasbourg: Liam Rosenior said on Tuesday that he had “verbally agreed” to become the next manager of Premier League giants Chelsea, adding that it was “an opportunity I couldn’t turn down”.

“It looks like I’ll be the next manager of that football club (Chelsea),” the Englishman said at a press conference held at his current club, Ligue 1 side Strasbourg.

Little-known Rosenior, 41, had been touted as a frontrunner to replace Enzo Maresca since the Italian star was sacked on Thursday; The most important reason for this was that Strasbourg and Chelsea belonged to the same consortium, BlueCo.

The former Hull City manager, who has no Premier League coaching experience, will become Chelsea’s fourth permanent boss since BlueCo took control of the Londoners in 2022.

Chelsea have not yet confirmed the appointment but held talks with Rosenior in London on Monday.

Rosenior said he wanted to announce the news in person in Strasbourg because of his deep feelings for the club.

“Everything has been agreed upon and will probably be completed within the next few hours,” he said.

“I’m here because I care about this club and I felt it was right to physically answer your questions here today before we depart.”

Rosenior has never faced the kind of media glare that awaited him in West London.

After a brief spell in charge of Brighton’s under-23s, Rosenior began his senior coaching career at Derby County in 2019, first under the management of Phillip Cocu and then as assistant to Wayne Rooney.

Rosenior replaced Rooney on an interim basis in 2022, taking over as manager of Hull City in the Championship that year.

He was sacked after just over 18 months in charge and appointed by Strasbourg in July 2024, leading to a seventh-place finish last season.