Profile of Liam Rosenior, Chelsea's new coach, analyzing why Chelsea appointed him to replace Maresca. "Chelsea" and "Maresca" are proper names and remain unchanged in translation.
On 6 Jan 2026 GMT+7, Liam Rosenior was officially appointed as Chelsea's new head coach, replacing Enzo Maresca who was dismissed on New Year's Day (1 Jan). Rosenior transferred from Strasbourg, a club within the BlueCo network, signing a long-term contract until 2032 (about six and a half years). He will make his coaching debut on the sidelines in the FA Cup match against Charlton Athletic on Saturday, 10 Jan.
The Premier League match against Fulham on Wednesday will still be managed by caretaker coach Callum McFarlane.
Background and previous achievements
Liam Rosenior, aged 41, is a former right-back who played for Fulham, Hull City, and Strasbourg. He achieved remarkable success at Strasbourg, leading the team to 7th place in the league standings while having the youngest average squad age in the league.
Coaching style
He emphasizes attacking football based on ball possession and high pressing. Additionally, he is well-known for developing young players, aligning with Chelsea's current policy of recruiting youth talent. He also has good relationships with several Chelsea sporting directors, suggesting a smooth transition.
Coaching history
Derby County - 2022:
He started as a staff coach during Wayne Rooney's tenure and was promoted to interim manager after Rooney resigned. Although his time was brief, he earned praise for establishing a modern playing foundation.
Hull City - 2022–2024:
This period marked his rise to prominence. He transformed Hull from a relegation-threatened team into playoff contenders for promotion to the Premier League, finishing 7th in the 2023/24 season. He was also nominated for the Championship's "Manager of the Year" award.
Strasbourg - 2024–2026:
He moved to manage the Ligue 1 side Strasbourg (also part of the same network as Chelsea) and delivered impressive results, elevating the team into the upper tier of the league table (7th place before joining Chelsea). He focused on using young players and a vigorous playing style.
Tactical approach and style
Rosenior is a "Modern Coach" influenced by contemporary football trends, similar to Pep Guardiola or Roberto De Zerbi. He primarily uses 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3 formations.
He prefers a back four but during build-up phases often moves full-backs inward (inverted full-backs) or pushes them high to create a three-man midfield advantage.
He emphasizes playing out from the goalkeeper and defenders rather than long clearances. Players must be capable of maintaining possession under intense pressure. When possession is lost, his teams immediately counter-press to regain the ball quickly, preventing opponents from organizing attacks. Strasbourg's statistics showed his team was among the best at winning the ball back in the opponent's half.
Liam Rosenior is especially notable for giving opportunities to young players, which fits Chelsea's current profile perfectly. He designs tactics that allow quick, skillful players to frequently engage in one-on-one duels with opponents.