Former Strasbourg manager Liam Rosenior has described his appointment as the new coach of Chelsea as a job he cannot turn down.
The 41-year-old Englishman replaces Enzo Maresca, who left on New Year’s Day, and signs a five-and-a-half-year contract with an option for another season.
Rosenior will be in the stands at Craven Cottage when Chelsea plays Fulham in the Premier League on Wednesday, and he will lead his first training session on Thursday before Saturday’s FA Cup third-round match against Charlton Athletic.
“I am extremely humbled and honored to be appointed head coach of Chelsea Football Club,” Rosenior said.
“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.”
Earlier on Tuesday, in his last press conference as Strasbourg manager, Rosenior confirmed he had “agreed verbally” to take over at Stamford Bridge.
“I cannot turn down this opportunity to join an incredible club, an incredible squad who are Club World Cup champions,” Rosenior said.
Strasbourg is part of the Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital-owned BlueCo multi-club ownership group, which also owns Chelsea.
Rosenior announced that Strasbourg first-team coach Kalifa Cisse, assistant head coach Justin Walker, and director of analysis Ben Warner will join him at Stamford Bridge.
Rosenior was appointed by Strasbourg in July 2024 and led the French club to seventh place in Ligue 1 last season, securing European football for the first time in eight years.
His final match was a 1-1 draw against Nice on Saturday, their fifth league game without a win.
They are seventh in Ligue 1 and lead the Conference League.
“The last 18 months have been a joy and the best of my professional career,” Rosenior said.
“I’m here because I care about this club [Strasbourg], and I felt it was right to answer your questions physically here today before I move on.
“I will love this club for the rest of my life, but I cannot turn down Chelsea.”
The former Fulham and Hull City defender Rosenior has never managed in the Premier League.
“I would not have accepted the Chelsea job if I were not ready,” he said.
“There are clubs you just cannot turn down. I hope the Strasbourg fans can see that and be proud of that.
“I have had interest from many clubs, including Champions League clubs, which I have always been open with to [Strasbourg president] Marc [Keller] and our ownership.”
Caretaker manager Calum McFarlane took charge for Sunday’s 1-1 draw at Manchester City.
It is unusual for an outgoing manager to explain their leave in a news conference, but Rosenior did just that on Tuesday morning.
After traveling into London to sign a verbal agreement to become Chelsea’s next manager, Rosenior went to France and Strasbourg to bid farewell.
In a spectacular news conference at Stade de la Meinau, where he has lived for the past 18 months, he appeared upset and enabled local media to ask uncomfortable questions.
He spoke passionately about his favorite memories and expressed a desire to look people in the eyes and explain why he was departing mid-season.
What complicates matters is that both clubs are owned by BlueCo, which might become a source of contention if things do not go as planned.
However, Rosenior claimed to be motivated solely by doing the right thing and explaining himself to supporters following a role that drove him to “one of the biggest clubs in the world.”
