What to know about new Chelsea head coach

Chelsea announced the appointment of Liam Rosenior as head coach of the men’s team on a six-year deal running until 2032.

Contents

Background

Playing position

Club playing career

Premier League experience

International career

Early coaching career

Managerial roles

Path to Chelsea

In a statement confirming Rosenior’s appointment, the club said: “Chelsea Football Club is delighted to announce the appointment of Liam Rosenior as head coach of the men’s team.

“The Englishman has signed a contract with the club that will take him through to 2032.

“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 Club’s expectations and ambitions remain high.

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“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.”

Rosenior replaces Enzo Maresca, who left the club on New Year’s Day.

Rosenior is known for progressing from the English Football League into top-flight coaching, having worked at Derby County, Hull City and Strasbourg.

His appointment marks another step in Chelsea’s preference for younger coaches with modern managerial pathways.

Key facts about Liam Rosenior

Background

Liam James Rosenior was born on 9 July 1984 in Wandsworth, England, and stands at 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m).

Playing position

He played primarily as a full-back, with the ability to operate as a winger during his career.

Club playing career

Rosenior played for Bristol City, Fulham, Torquay United (loan), Reading, Ipswich Town (loan), Hull City and Brighton & Hove Albion, making 393 league appearances and scoring four goals.

Premier League experience

He featured in the Premier League with Fulham, Reading, Hull City and Brighton & Hove Albion, and started the 2014 FA Cup final for Hull City.

International career

Rosenior represented England at the U20 and U21 levels, earning 11 caps and scoring one goal.

Early coaching career

After retiring in 2018, he joined Brighton & Hove Albion’s backroom staff before moving to Derby County as a first-team coach and later interim manager in 2022.

Managerial roles

He managed Hull City from 2022 to 2024 in the EFL Championship before taking over as head coach of Strasbourg in July 2024.

Path to Chelsea

Rosenior led Strasbourg to a seventh-place finish in Ligue 1 and qualification for the UEFA Conference League before being appointed head coach of Chelsea FC.