Liam Rosenior Breaks Silence on Chelsea Rumors: "Nothing Is Certain"
Strasbourg head coach Liam Rosenior has acknowledged that discussions regarding potentially taking over from manager Enzo Maresca have occurred, though he emphasized his dedication to the French club.
Rosenior is viewed as the leading contender to succeed Enzo Maresca, whose surprising exit from Stamford Bridge was announced on Thursday following a dramatic fallout with the BlueCo ownership structure that also oversees Strasbourg.
By chance, Rosenior had a pre-match media briefing scheduled just one day after Maresca's departure news broke, and predictably the topic dominated the initial questions.
"I'm going to discuss [Saturday's match against] Nice because that's what I'm here for," was Rosenior's initial effort to sidestep a Chelsea-related inquiry, but the assembled journalists persisted in seeking answers.
"There's considerable chatter, plenty of rumors, but as a manager, engaging with that leads to failure," he added. "My role is at this club, I have affection for this organization."
Significantly, when asked directly if he had communicated with anyone regarding the Chelsea position, Rosenior admitted he had, though he stressed this shouldn't be surprising given the connection between both clubs.
"Communications happen because we belong to the same ownership structure," he stated.
Rosenior: Cannot Forecast What Lies Ahead
Rosenior made every effort to emphasize his dedication to Strasbourg, knowing that any suggestion of interest in the Blues would certainly anger those Strasbourg supporters who actively oppose the connection with Chelsea.
"My intention is to fulfill my duties here, it's straightforward," he clarified. "The truth right now is that I serve as Strasbourg's manager and my attention is on this role.
"In existence, there are no absolute certainties. Tomorrow remains unpredictable. I'm simply performing my duties. Speculation has already begun. I won't promise how long my tenure will last, but I find fulfillment here daily. I plan to maintain this approach for as long as I remain. I care deeply for this organization, though I cannot make any promises. No one is able to."
When pressed about his reluctance to make firm commitments, Rosenior responded: "I'm being truthful, you cannot control every aspect of existence. I could declare my intention to remain for years and then face dismissal."
Chelsea are believed to have compiled a brief list of candidates and hope to announce a permanent successor to Maresca efficiently. Meanwhile, Under-21 coach Calum McFarlane will take charge of the Blues, starting with Sunday's fixture against Manchester City.