In his first address to the Chelsea squad, newly appointed manager Liam Rosenior has set a clear and immediate expectation: the team must "hit the ground running." The 41-year-old English coach, officially hired on Tuesday from French club Strasbourg, steps into the high-pressure role at Stamford Bridge following Enzo Maresca's sudden departure last week.
A Swift Transition and Immediate Challenge
Rosenior's move to Chelsea marks a rapid and somewhat unexpected career shift. He agreed to a substantial six-year contract with the Premier League giants, leaving Strasbourg where he earned significant praise. Under his guidance, Strasbourg secured a seventh-place finish in Ligue 1 last season, clinching a spot in the UEFA Conference League. This achievement was notable given the club's shared ownership group with Chelsea.
However, his appointment has not been without scepticism. Critics have pointed to Rosenior's lack of top-level managerial experience, with his previous role being at Hull City, where he was dismissed after failing to reach the Championship play-offs in 2024. Rosenior is acutely aware of the scrutiny and the demanding nature of Chelsea's ownership.
Rosenior's First Words to the Chelsea Squad
Speaking to Sky Sports ahead of Chelsea's west London derby against Fulham on Wednesday, Rosenior shared his excitement and his core philosophy. "Super excited. I can't wait. As a young man I have always wanted to be a coach, I've talked about it a lot," he said.
He then revealed the crucial message delivered to his new players: "For this opportunity to come up at this stage of my career is great but my biggest focus is not about being Chelsea manager, it's about being a winning Chelsea manager, and that is the message that I gave the players yesterday when I was fortunate enough to meet them for the first time. We need to hit the ground running for the rest of the season."
Watching from the Stands, Planning for the Cup
Despite meeting the team, Rosenior did not take charge for the Fulham match at Craven Cottage. Due to the tight timeframe after flying in from Strasbourg, he watched from the stands. Interim coach Calum McFarlane, who oversaw a 1-1 draw at Manchester City last weekend, remained in the dugout.
Rosenior explained the decision, stating faith in the interim setup: "I flew in from Strasbourg yesterday morning, so it is a difficult time frame for me to get in the tactical work I want to get into to get the lads to give them the best possible chance to win. I've got full faith in Calum and the lads to win tonight."
His official debut in the dugout will come this Saturday in the FA Cup third round against second-tier side Charlton Athletic. This cup tie presents his first real opportunity to implement his ideas and start his tenure with a victory.
Alignment with the Club's Vision
Rosenior also highlighted the strategic alignment that led to his appointment. He noted a strong working relationship with the club's hierarchy, developed during his time at Strasbourg. "The lads when I was working in Strasbourg were very supportive of me. We are very aligned in terms of recruitment, style of play," he said.
He admitted the speed of his ascent was surprising: "That is why I was brought into the project to begin with. To be honest I never thought it would end up with me stood here in January as Chelsea manager but in life you never know what's going to happen."
The coming weeks will be critical for Rosenior as he seeks to silence doubters, win over the Chelsea faithful, and deliver the instant results demanded at one of football's most volatile clubs. His journey from Strasbourg to Stamford Bridge is complete, but the real work begins now.
