HENRY WINTER: Why Chelsea's Next Manager Liam Rosenior Could Be Their Most Surprising Masterstroke Yet
A football club frequently characterized as a heartless commercial enterprise is now looking to hire as manager a passionate individual celebrated for his compassion and people skills. Liam Rosenior's potential move to Chelsea appears risky, a clash of cultures, a partnership many believe is destined to fail.
However, those familiar with Rosenior understand he thrives on challenges, connects well with everyone from players to executives, and has been yearning for this opportunity to compete in the Champions League. The relatively inexperienced Rosenior, 41, will commit fully to making this arrangement successful.
The current Strasbourg manager has been anticipating this opportunity since age 11 when he compiled scouting reports for his father Leroy at Gloucester City. He's been preparing for this moment since his playing days, when he would position himself at the tunnel entrance while injured or suspended, simply to gain a coach's viewpoint of matches.
He's been preparing for this opportunity since playing under Chris Coleman, Steve Coppell, Brendan Rodgers, Steve Bruce and Chris Hughton, absorbing knowledge from each. He's been awaiting this top-tier chance since earning his Uefa Pro Licence at 32 while still competing for Brighton & Hove Albion.
Eager to Develop
Each conversation I've had with Rosenior throughout his coaching development revealed his clear ambition to become a first-team manager. I spoke with him in 2018 at Brighton where he served as Under-23s assistant coach, then as specialist first-team coach under Phillip Cocu at Derby County in 2019, and as Wayne Rooney's assistant at Derby in 2021. Throughout this period, he remained observant and studious.
Committed to growth, Rosenior observed Rooney carefully. Rooney was in Derby's training ground cafeteria one morning and mentioned to Rosenior that a particular player wasn't eating his breakfast cereal with typical enthusiasm. Rooney had a private conversation and learned the player was troubled by personal matters. Rosenior gained another insight into player management techniques.
"Elite coaches must possess empathy," Rosenior once explained to me. "Certainly, you can be firm, but you must understand individuals. You cannot berate players like in the past." His balanced approach was valued as a pundit on Sky Sports shows, particularly "The Debate". He earned respect as an analyst because he communicated eloquently, composedly and perceptively.
He's a widely admired figure in football. People naturally gravitate toward him. He's energetic, positive and considerate. Managers appreciate him. Gareth Southgate, during his England tenure, devoted four hours to meeting with Rosenior at his St George's Park office. They discussed football extensively but also broader life topics. Rosenior possesses considerable depth.
Well-Regarded and Reliable
When he became Hull City's head coach in late 2022, other managers' confidence in him became evident. Pep Guardiola loaned him Liam Delap. Jurgen Klopp sent Tyler Morton and Fabio Carvalho on loan. Both Guardiola and Klopp trusted that their prospects would flourish under Rosenior's guidance.
He fostered team unity by showing his Hull squad footage of his assistant, Justin Walker, pulling him from a flooded street puddle when Rosenior's vehicle became stranded. "Life has imperfections but your teammate must support you," Rosenior told his players. "The first person I contacted was my closest friend Justin."
He analyzed Guardiola, Mikel Arteta and Roberto De Zerbi at Brighton. He admired how De Zerbi's Brighton matched Guardiola's Manchester City player for player. He followed De Zerbi's bold approach and went toe-to-toe with Enzo Maresca's Leicester City at the King Power in September 2023. Delap scored to halt Leicester's flawless Championship campaign start.
Bold and Ready to Take Chances
Rosenior's squad pressed Maresca's team persistently and effectively. Hull adhered to their young manager's ambitious strategy and were rewarded. "I've been here eight months and we couldn't have executed that when I initially arrived," Rosenior told BBC Radio Humberside afterward. "That's why I consistently emphasize it's a development."
That observation is worth remembering as he enters Chelsea. There will be development, specifically training his players in his high-intensity pressing style. They must be extremely fit and fully dedicated. How much patience Chelsea supporters show for "the development" remains uncertain. They grew frustrated with Maresca and wanted more excitement, but also targeted their frustration at ownership and sporting directors.
Some may view Rosenior as a compliant appointment brought in by Chelsea's owners, BlueCo, who also control Strasbourg, though he's anything but that. However, Rosenior must still operate within a framework—and with recruitment limitations such as focusing on young players for eventual transfer.
Requires Player Support Initially
It's crucial for Rosenior's success, or opportunity to execute his development plan, that players respond swiftly and favorably to him. There will be the unavoidable "show your trophies" challenge. That won't last long since Rosenior only won the Football League Trophy with Bristol City in 2003. But he can reference largely outdueling Cristiano Ronaldo when Fulham drew with Manchester United at Craven Cottage in 2004. Rosenior embraces challenges.
Experience demonstrates that players want to compete for him. They appreciate his character and approach. He told his Hull squad, "Give maximum effort with and without the ball, care for and respect your colleagues, and don't avoid possession. You must be courageous." Players respect his bravery.
He confronts prejudice. When racially targeted by an opponent as a teenage defender, Rosenior responded by making a fierce two-footed challenge on his abuser. As a youth, visiting his grandmother in Hull, he explored the Wilberforce House, honoring social reformer William Wilberforce and his successful campaign to end the slave trade in 1807.
Following his father Leroy's activist tradition, Rosenior frequently condemns racism. He personally faced online racial abuse in 2024. Players respect his stance against discrimination.
Players desire to compete for him. Jaden Philogene departed Aston Villa for Hull knowing Rosenior would develop him. Rosenior made efforts to meet Philogene and the loan players beforehand, establishing rapport. He treats them with dignity.
Jacob Greaves developed so remarkably under Rosenior that he earned selection to the Championship Team of the Season in 2024. Rosenior himself received a Championship Manager of the Season nomination. Hull dismissed him for barely missing the play-offs, a decision that sparked outrage. No consideration was given to top scorer Delap missing three months through injury. Rosenior's replacement, Tim Walter, proved inadequate and lasted merely 18 matches.
Within two months, Rosenior was named Strasbourg's head coach, secured their Uefa Conference League qualification and attracted Premier League interest. Now Chelsea's owners, BlueCo, consider him Maresca's replacement.
Rosenior faces significant challenges at Chelsea and much proving to do. He will dedicate everything to succeed. "I'm someone who gives," Rosenior told me in 2022. "I enjoy watching people succeed. I enjoy assisting them." And they require assistance. As will he.