Chelsea Football Club have officially confirmed the appointment of Liam Rosenior as their new head coach on a long-term contract running until 2032, following the departure of Enzo Maresca on New Year’s Day.
The 41-year-old becomes Chelsea’s fifth permanent manager since the BlueCo ownership took control in May 2022, joining from French side Strasbourg where he impressed during an 18-month spell.
Rosenior’s Impressive Strasbourg Record
During his tenure at Strasbourg, Rosenior compiled an impressive record:
- 63 matches: 32 wins, 14 losses, 17 draws
- 109 goals scored | 81 conceded
- 2024/2025 season: 7th place in Ligue 1
- 2025/2026 season: Currently 7th in Ligue 1
The former Hull City and Brighton defender led Strasbourg to European qualification in his debut season, achieving the club’s second top-seven finish since 1981.
Why Chelsea Sacked Maresca
Enzo Maresca’s 18-month tenure at Chelsea ended on New Year’s Day after a dramatic breakdown in his working relationship with senior figures at the club. The Italian had delivered success, winning both the Conference League and the FIFA Club World Cup, while securing fourth place and Champions League qualification in his sole full Premier League season.
However, multiple factors contributed to his sudden departure:
Poor Recent Form: Chelsea experienced a run of one win in seven Premier League games, leaving them fifth in the table, 15 points behind leaders Arsenal.
Public Disputes: In December, Maresca effectively started the countdown to his exit by publicly declaring the buildup to Chelsea’s win over Everton was the “worst 48 hours” he had endured at Chelsea. Reports suggest this comment was referring to a long-running dispute with the club’s medical department.
Lack of Consistency: Maresca showed precision in big matches but this rarely survived contact with ordinary league fixtures, as Chelsea would dismantle Barcelona only to lose convincingly to lower-table teams days later.
Power Struggles: One suggestion was that Maresca wanted more power over football and squad decisions, something Chelsea’s ownership was never likely to countenance given they have built an extensive recruitment team.
Reported Manchester City Links: The Blues ultimately decided to axe him after he’d informed them about talks with Manchester City behind the scenes.
What Makes Rosenior’s Contract Different?
Rosenior’s appointment comes with a groundbreaking seven-year contract until 2032, making it one of the longest managerial deals in Premier League history.
This represents a significant shift in Chelsea’s approach and could signal several differences from previous coaching arrangements:
1. Long-Term Vision: The extended contract suggests Chelsea are committed to giving Rosenior time to build his project, unlike the quick dismissals of Graham Potter (seven months), Thomas Tuchel (just over a year under new ownership), Mauricio Pochettino (one season), and now Maresca (18 months).
2. BlueCo Connection: Strasbourg has become somewhat of a feeder club for BlueCo to develop players before moving them to Chelsea, and it appears they have decided to do the same for the management team.
This internal development system may provide greater alignment with ownership’s philosophy.
3. Youth Development Focus: Rosenior’s debut in the Strasbourg dugout saw him name Ligue 1’s first ever all-French, all U23 outfield line-up, demonstrating comfort working with young talent—a key component of Chelsea’s current squad-building strategy.
4. Reduced Power Over Transfers: Unlike Maresca who reportedly sought more control, Rosenior appears more willing to work within Chelsea’s sporting director structure, having successfully operated within the BlueCo system at Strasbourg.
5. Philosophical Alignment: Rosenior’s controlled, passing style on the ball with a higher press would not require significant uprooting of Maresca’s philosophies, suggesting continuity rather than wholesale change.
Rosenior confirmed he had “verbally agreed” a contract with Chelsea and said “I would not have accepted the Chelsea job if I was not ready”, expressing confidence despite his relative inexperience at the highest level.
The appointment represents a calculated risk by Chelsea, banking on Rosenior’s development within their multi-club system and his willingness to embrace their long-term project rather than pursue immediate glory.
Whether this unprecedented seven-year commitment proves successful remains to be seen, but it marks a clear departure from Chelsea’s recent managerial revolving door.
Rosenior is expected to take charge for Chelsea’s FA Cup fixture at Charlton Athletic on Saturday, with his backroom staff—including assistants Khalifa Cisse and Justin Walker—joining him from Strasbourg.
