Chelsea Football Club has announced the appointment of Liam Rosenior as the new head coach of the men’s first team.
The English coach signed a long-term contract that will keep him at Stamford Bridge until 2032.
Rosenior comes to Chelsea after managing French club RC Strasbourg. In his first season there, he led the team to qualify for European competition for the first time in 19 years. Before his time in France, he held coaching roles at English clubs Hull City and Derby County.
Upon joining Chelsea, Rosenior expressed his feelings about the new role.
“I am extremely humbled and honoured to be appointed Head Coach of Chelsea Football Club,” he said. “This is a club with a unique spirit and a proud history of winning trophies. My job is to protect that identity and create a team that reflects these values in every game we play.”
He emphasized the importance of teamwork and unity.
“I believe deeply in teamwork, unity, togetherness and working for one another, and those values will be at the heart of everything we do,” Rosenior added. “I am excited to work with this extremely talented group of players and staff. There is a real hunger to win, and I will give everything, every single day, to help this team compete at the very highest level.”
Rosenior also addressed the Chelsea supporters directly.
“I want our fans to be proud of who we are and what we represent. They are the soul of this enormous, historic and huge football club. I cannot wait to meet you all and get started.”
Chelsea believes Rosenior is the right person for the job. The club stated he has shown he can build teams with a clear playing style and set high standards for players. While the club will continue to focus on developing young players, expectations to win remain high. The club trusts Rosenior can get the best out of the current squad quickly and has given him the responsibility and support to ensure Chelsea competes for top honours now and in the future.
Connection Between Chelsea and Strasbourg
The move has a unique background, as Strasbourg is also owned by BlueCo, the multi-club ownership group led by Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital, which also owns Chelsea.
Rosenior Brings His Staff
Rosenior confirmed that he will be joined at Chelsea by three members of his Strasbourg staff, first-team coach Kalifa Cisse, assistant head coach Justin Walker, and head of analysis Ben Warner.
A Respectful Farewell in France
Rosenior’s move is happening during the current season. He was appointed by Strasbourg in July 2024 and in his first season guided them to a seventh-place finish in Ligue 1, securing European football. This season, Strasbourg are currently seventh in the league and top of their UEFA Conference League group.
It is unusual for a manager to hold a news conference to explain their departure, but that is exactly what Rosenior did on Tuesday. After flying to London to agree on terms with Chelsea, he returned to France to say a proper goodbye.
At an emotional news conference at Strasbourg’s Stade de la Meinau, he answered questions from local reporters. He spoke about his favourite moments at the club and said he wanted to explain his reasons for leaving in person. He stated that the chance to manage Chelsea, which he called “one of the biggest clubs in the world,” was an opportunity he felt he had to take.