Chelsea have confirmed the appointment of Liam Rosenior as their new manager on a long-term contract running until 2032.
The move ends Chelsea’s search for a successor to Enzo Maresca, who was dismissed on New Year’s Day.
Rosenior arrives from RC Strasbourg, another club within the BlueCo ownership group, following months of internal assessment and dialogue.
The Englishman publicly confirmed on Tuesday that he had verbally agreed to take the role, describing Chelsea as an opportunity he ‘could not turn down’.
Formal confirmation followed shortly afterwards, with Chelsea outlining their belief in Rosenior’s ability to deliver immediate impact and long-term stability.
Rosenior will not be in the dugout for Wednesday’s Premier League trip to Fulham, with Under-21 coach Calum McFarlane remaining in interim charge.
He is expected to take his first training session on Thursday ahead of Saturday’s FA Cup third-round tie away at Charlton Athletic.
Chelsea officials believe the timing allows Rosenior to ease into the role while maintaining continuity during a congested fixture schedule.
Rosenior leaves Strasbourg after an 18-month spell that significantly raised his profile in European football.
He guided the Ligue 1 side to a seventh-place finish last season, securing European qualification for the first time in nearly two decades.
That achievement, combined with a clear tactical identity, accelerated internal discussions about his readiness for a higher-profile role.
The shared ownership structure between Chelsea and Strasbourg eased negotiations but also placed scrutiny on the decision-making process.
Rosenior acknowledged the emotional difficulty of leaving Strasbourg mid-season but stressed transparency with players, staff and supporters.
He will be joined at Stamford Bridge by trusted members of his backroom team, including Kalifa Cisse, Justin Walker and Ben Warner.
Chelsea’s statement emphasised Rosenior’s capacity to build structured teams while demanding high standards both on and off the pitch.
There remains a clear expectation that results will improve quickly following a turbulent period for the club.
Rosenior’s managerial journey has been unconventional but steadily progressive.
After retiring from playing in 2018, he moved into coaching at Brighton & Hove Albion before gaining senior experience at Derby County and Hull City.
His work at Hull, where they narrowly missed out on the Championship play-offs, laid the groundwork for his move abroad.
With Chelsea still competing across multiple fronts, the immediate challenge is to stabilise form and restore clarity.
