The footballing world is abuzz with speculation as Liam Rosenior emerges as the leading candidate to fill the managerial vacancy at Chelsea, following Enzo Maresca’s departure. Maresca, who helmed the Blues for 90 matches, left the club on Thursday after securing silverware with the UEFA Conference League and the Club World Cup—achievements that eclipsed those of recent predecessors. However, following mounting tensions, the club currently placed fifth in the Premier League decided to part ways with Maresca.
Rosenior, who has been managing Strasbourg, has been linked with the Chelsea job for several months. The young manager’s success with the French club, who sit seventh in Ligue 1, has not gone unnoticed by the Chelsea hierarchy, with rumours of appreciation circulating within the BlueCo group. Esteemed journalist Fabrizio Romano confirmed Chelsea’s interest, highlighting that discussions are indeed in progress, while L’Equipe boldly reported that an agreement has already been reached.
Despite the swirling rumours, Rosenior maintains a level-headed approach, as he addressed the links for the first time without dispelling them: “There’s a lot of noise, a lot of speculation, but as a coach, if you get involved, you fail. My job is here, I love this club,” Rosenior asserted. He added that he has not discussed the matter with his players, focusing instead on continuing the team’s current trajectory. “In life, there are zero guarantees. You never know what tomorrow will bring. I’m just doing my job… I love this club, but I can’t guarantee anything. Nobody can.”
However, not all Chelsea supporters are thrilled at the prospect of Rosenior’s potential appointment. Some sceptical fans view him as a manager cut from the same cloth as Maresca and argue that his resume lacks the requisite gravitas for such a high-profile role. They suggest Chelsea should pursue a seasoned tactician with names like Xavi, Andoni Iraola, and Oliver Glasner being mooted.
As Rosenior’s saga with Chelsea unfolds, it remains to be seen whether he can replicate his success at Strasbourg on the Premier League stage or if the challenge proves to be a leap, too far, too soon.