Chelsea Shocks Football World by Rejecting Club Legend for Rising Star Liam Rosenior
Chelsea opted not to pursue former player and current Flamengo boss Filipe Luís, instead choosing to bring in Liam Rosenior, according to reports.
Rosenior has penned a deal at Stamford Bridge that extends through 2032 following his 18-month tenure managing Strasbourg, with Chelsea maintaining they compensated their affiliated club at "fair market value" when securing the 41-year-old's release from his existing agreement.
The Telegraph indicates that official authorization was granted for Chelsea to engage with Rosenior regarding the position on Monday, and the former Hull City boss quickly accepted what represents his inaugural Premier League management opportunity.
Social media has erupted with criticism over Chelsea's channeling of Rosenior into the position, though reports suggest his appointment came after the Blues had conducted interviews with Luís, who captured the Premier League crown with the club in 2014–15—his sole campaign at the club.
Luís has subsequently achieved remarkable success from the sidelines with Brazilian giants Flamengo, claiming the Copa Libertadores, Brasileiro Série A and four additional trophies during an outstanding 2025 campaign.
Strasbourg's Connection with Chelsea
The interconnected nature of these two clubs has sparked widespread controversy. Both operate under BlueCo ownership, the group spearheaded by Todd Boehly and Clearlake capital—which is led by Behdad Eghbali—that acquired Chelsea in 2022. These ambitious, self-proclaimed "market disruptors" expanded their holdings to include Ligue 1's Strasbourg the subsequent year amid significant backlash.
While Strasbourg faced potential relegation when BlueCo took control—the acquisition was postponed until their top-flight survival was confirmed—they represent a storied institution.
Established in 1906, just months following Chelsea's formation, Strasbourg claimed the French championship in 1978–79. The Alsace club encountered difficulties a decade past, falling to the fifth division in 2011 before ascending back to Ligue 1 six years afterward, where they've stayed since.
The organization's treasured character has suffered since the Chelsea acquisition. Transformed instantly into a development ground for inexperienced prospects, any promising talent would be quickly transferred to west London. Captain Emmanuel Emegha is set to join Chelsea this summer, reuniting with his previous manager.
Rosenior's hiring was condemned as degrading by a Strasbourg supporter organization, and the financial advantages of this embarrassment remain questionable.
Chelsea has declined to disclose the monetary details of Rosenior's transfer, only informing The Times that it aligned with "market standards." Given that BlueCo was essentially negotiating internally, this deal will be subject to the Premier League's associated party transaction (APT) regulations.
These highly debated rules, which have been central to an extensive legal dispute involving Manchester City (another club within a multi-club ownership structure), aim to ensure negotiations between entities with shared interests occur at "fair market value." This FMV is established by the Premier League board.
During the initial APT rule assessment in early 2024, Chelsea opposed the modifications before unexpectedly changing their stance for the final decision in November 2024.
Chelsea Supporter Opposition to Ownership
While observers have challenged the validity of Rosenior's selection, Chelsea supporters are more troubled by the reasoning behind this decision. What Rosenior may lack in credentials, he compensates with unwavering allegiance to the BlueCo framework.
Enzo Maresca's demonstrably successful Chelsea tenure ultimately ended following deteriorating relations with the club's leadership. Having publicly endorsed BlueCo's operations at Strasbourg, Rosenior might appreciate simply retaining his top performers.
The club's supporters have adopted a considerably more critical perspective of ownership. A quick survey by the Chelsea Supporters' Trust immediately following Rosenior's appointment revealed over 90% of respondents expressed doubt in BlueCo's leadership capabilities.
Nearly 86% identified "substantial" flaws in the sporting framework while 83% lacked confidence that Chelsea would attain "consistent on-field achievement" over the next three to five years.
The CST emphasized their desire to "wish Liam Rosenior complete success" but it's evident the personable 41-year-old enters an environment lacking harmony and solidarity. Winning supporter backing formed part of his initial public statement as Stamford Bridge manager.
"I want our supporters to feel pride in our identity and values in every match we contest," he stated during his introduction. "They represent the heart of this massive, traditional and significant football institution. I'm eager to meet everyone. I'm excited to begin."