Chelsea appoint Liam Rosenior as new head coach to replace Enzo Maresca until 2032 - 'Means the world to me'
Updated 07/01/2026 at 12:58 GMT
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Liam Rosenior has made a return to English football, and will take the biggest job of his managerial career so far at Chelsea. BlueCo have recruited from within to replace Enzo Maresca, appointing Rosenior after a successful 18-month spell with Strasbourg. Rosenior confirmed in a press conference earlier on Tuesday that a verbal agreement was in place for him to become Chelsea's new head coach.
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Chelsea have confirmed the appointment of Liam Rosenior as their new head coach on a contract which runs until 2032.
Rosenior joins Chelsea from sister club Strasbourg in Ligue 1, replacing recently-departed boss Enzo Maresca.
"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," Rosenior told Chelsea's website.
"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.
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"I am excited to work with this extremely talented group of players and staff, to build strong connections on and off the pitch, and to create an environment where everyone feels united and driven by the same goal.
"There is a real hunger to win, and I will give everything, every single day, to help this team compete and win at the very highest level to make everyone connected and proud to be a part of Chelsea Football Club.
"I want our fans to be proud of who we are and what we represent in every single game that we play. They are the soul of this enormous, historic and huge football club."
Rosenior confirmed in a press conference ahead of his official appointment on Tuesday that he had a verbal agreement in place to become Chelsea's new head coach.
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The former Hull City manager said he had fielded interest from "many clubs, including Champions League clubs" but that he "cannot turn down Chelsea".
He also said his assistants, Kalifa Cisse and Justin Walker, alongside head of analysis Ben Warner, would be joining him in his return to England.
Chelsea Under-21's manager Calum McFarlane oversaw Sunday's 1-1 draw with Manchester City, after Maresca departed on New Year's Day following a poor run of form and a reported breakdown in his relationship with the board.
The Chelsea role is Rosenior's third permanent senior managerial position following successful spells in charge of Hull City and Strasbourg.
He made his coaching breakthrough at Derby County, taking over as interim manager after Wayne Rooney's departure - having been assistant to the former Manchester United and England striker at Pride Park.
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A spell at Hull followed, leading The Tigers to a seventh-place finish in the 2023/24 Championship campaign before his appointment at Strasbourg - the Ligue 1 club also owned by BlueCo, Chelsea's parent company.
Rosenior led the club to European qualification last season, and the Alsace side topped the UEFA Conference League table this season with five wins from six league phase games.
A host of other big names were linked with the Chelsea role, including Xavi and Andoni Iraola.
Chelsea sit fifth ahead of Wednesday's clash against west London rivals Fulham.
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