LONDON (AP) – Chelsea announced Tuesday the hiring of new manager Liam Rosenior, who left French club Strasbourg, on a six-year contract.
Attack-minded Rosenior becomes Chelsea’s second black manager after Ruud Gullit, and has signed a contract until 2032.
Rosenior plans to play Strasbourg, which is part of the same ownership group as Chelsea. league 1 strength They finished 7th last season and established themselves in European football.
Chelsea said: “Liam has shown that he can build a team with a clear way of playing, setting the highest standards for his players both on and off the pitch. We will continue to focus on player development, but the club’s expectations and ambitions remain high.”
Rosenior’s previous work includes working as assistant coach to Wayne Rooney at Derby, with Rooney praising his “incredible” work ethic and attention to detail.
Rosenior, 41, has never managed a Premier League club. chelsea last week separated company With Enzo Maresca, who was in charge for 18 months.
A move to Chelsea will bring even more attention and pressure on Rosenior.
Rosenior, BlueCo’s fifth permanent manager since ownership took over in 2022, inherits a team that has the ability to succeed at a high level but lacks consistency. Chelsea are in fifth place, 17 points behind leaders Arsenal.
“I’m excited to work with this extremely talented group of players and staff, build strong connections on and off the pitch, and create an environment where everyone feels united and driven towards the same goals,” he said.
Taking the Chelsea job is a rare top-flight opportunity for a black British manager in the Premier League.
“For me, this is an opportunity that I cannot refuse at this point in my life,” Rosenior told a news conference in Strasbourg, adding that the prospect of being reunited with her family was an added inspiration.
“It means I can go home and see my kids. I was away from my kids and missed them, and I wanted my success here to make the sacrifice of not being able to see them worth it.”
The son of former player and coach Leroy Rosenior, Liam played in the Premier League as a full-back for Fulham, Reading, Hull and Brighton during his 16-year professional career, as well as representing England Under-21s.
He returned to Hull in 2022 as his first head coach before joining Strasbourg two years later. He left the team in seventh place in the French league and a place in the knockout stages of the UEFA Conference League.
“I don’t think anyone can question how hard I’ve worked for the club and my integrity in working for this club,” he said. “I don’t think anyone would question the decision I made to continue my career.”
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Ellingworth reported from Dusseldorf, Germany.
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