Liam Rosenior has verbally agreed to become Chelsea’s next manager, the 41-year-old confirmed, following the departure of Enzo Maresca on New Year’s Day.
Rosenior, who joined Strasbourg in July 2024, guided the French side to seventh in Ligue 1 last season, securing European football for the first time in eight years. He will replace Maresca at Stamford Bridge, with Strasbourg first-team coach Kalifa Cisse, assistant head coach Justin Walker, and head of analysis Ben Warner set to join him.
“I cannot turn down this opportunity to join an incredible club, incredible squad who are Club World Cup champions,” Rosenior said. “I haven’t signed yet. Everything is agreed and it will probably go through in the next few hours.”
Strasbourg and Chelsea are both part of the BlueCo multi-club ownership group, led by Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital, which facilitated Rosenior’s move.
Speaking to the media before leaving Strasbourg, Rosenior added, “I’m here because I care about this club and I felt it was right to answer your questions physically here today before I move on.”
Strasbourg’s final match under Rosenior was a 1-1 draw at Nice on Saturday, their fifth league game without a win. They currently sit seventh in Ligue 1 and top of the Conference League.
“The last 18 months have been a joy and the best of my professional career,” he said. “I will love this club for the rest of my life but I cannot turn down Chelsea.”
