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Liam Rosenior confirms he's taking Chelsea manager job as he breaks silence 'an honour'

Liam Rosenior has broken his silence on speculation that he is set to become the new Chelsea boss as he announced in a statement it has been 'an honour'

[Strasbourg's British head coach Liam Rosenior looks on ahead of the French L1 football match between OGC Nice and RC Strasbourg Alsace at the Allianz Riviera Stadium in Nice, south-eastern France, on January 3, 2026. (Photo by Frederic DIDES / AFP via Getty Images)]

Liam Rosenior has announced he will be the new Chelsea manager(Image: Frederic DIDES/AFP via Getty Images)

Liam Rosenior has confirmed he will be the new Chelsea manager.

The 41-year-old was announced as Enzo Maresca's replacement at Stamford Bridge after speaking about his future in a press conference on Tuesday morning. Rosenior confirmed he is leaving Ligue 1 club Strasbourg, who have the same owners as Chelsea, saying: "It looks like I'm going to be the manager of that football club."

Speaking at that press conference, he said: "It's an unbelievable opportunity at an incredible club, the world champions, and one I just couldn't turn down. And I can go home, and see my kids. I have made a sacrifice being away from them. It's been the best 18 months of my professional career here at Strasbourg. I have met some incredible people and none of that happens without the hard work of everyone connected with this football club.

[RC Strasbourg Head Coach Liam James Rosenior getting into the field prior to the Ligue 1 McDonald's match against Lyon]

Strasbourg Head Coach Liam Rosenior has been linked with the vacant Chelsea job(Image: Photo by Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images)

"It's not just Chelsea, I have had interest from other Champions League clubs. But this opportunity, I can't turn down. I was given permission to speak to one of the biggest clubs in the world. It was an honour to be associated with a club like that, and now, it looks like I will be the next manager of that football club."

At that stage, there had been no official confirmation or comment by the club, as he insisted the deal was not finalised just yet. He added: "I haven't signed yet. I have verbally agreed with Chelsea. Everything has been agreed and will probably go through in the next few hours."

Chelsea later made it official by confirming Rosenior had signed a six-year contract with the Blues in a statement on Tuesday morning. The club said: "Chelsea Football Club is delighted to announce the appointment of Liam Rosenior as head coach of the mens team.

"The Englishman has signed a contract with the club that will take him through to 2032. Rosenior arrives at Stamford Bridge after coaching overseas with RC Strasbourg, where he led the French club to European qualification for the first time in 19 years in his first season, and following earlier roles in England with Hull City and Derby County."

Quoted in the statement, Rosenior said: "I am extremely humbled and honoured to be appointed Head Coach of Chelsea Football Club. This is a club with a unique spirit and a proud history of winning trophies.

"My job is to protect that identity and create a team that reflects these values in every game we play as we continue winning trophies. 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.

"I believe deeply in teamwork, unity, togetherness and working for one another, and those values will be at the heart of everything we do. They will be the foundation of our success. I am excited to work with this extremely talented group of players and staff, to build strong connections on and off the pitch, and to create an environment where everyone feels united and driven by the same goal.

"There is a real hunger to win, and I will give everything, every single day, to help this team compete and win at the very highest level to make everyone connected and proud to be a part of Chelsea Football Club. I want our fans to be proud of who we are and what we represent in every single game that we play. They are the soul of this enormous, historic and huge football club. I cannot wait to meet you all. I cannot wait to get started."

[Liam Rosenior as a player with Hull City]

Liam Rosenior as a player with Hull City

Chelsea continued in their statement: "Liam has shown that he can build teams with a clear way of playing while setting the highest standards with players on and off the pitch. While there will continue to be a focus on player development, the Clubs expectations and ambitions remain high.

"Liam has the ability to get the best out of this squad quickly and joins us with the responsibility and the backing to ensure Chelsea continues to compete at the top level in all competitions this season and in seasons to come. Welcome to Chelsea, Liam!"

Rosenior's managerial career started as interim boss at Derby County after stepping into a coaching role at Brighton when he hung up his boots in 2018.

The former Fulham, Reading and Hull City full-back went on to manage the Tigers before he was sacked in 2024. Rosenior was then appointed manager of Strasbourg by BlueCo after Patrick Vieira left the club.

Rosenior has won 31 of his 63 games in charge of Le Bleu et Blanc, who are currently 7th in Ligue 1, where they finished last year to earn a Europa Conference League spot.

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