6.1.2026
Chelsea have appointed Liam Rosenior as their new manager after the Englishman agreed a six-year contract with the Premier League club.
Rosenior takes over from Enzo Maresca at Stamford Bridge after the Italian was sacked on New Year’s Day despite winning the Europa Conference League and Fifa Club World Cup in 2025.
The 41-year-old Rosenior had guided Strasbourg to a seventh place Ligue 1 finish in his first season, earning the French club European qualification for the first time in 19 years.
He leaves them still seventh in the French standings, 10 points behind leaders Lens but also top of the Europa Conference League having taken 16 points from a possible 18.
“I am extremely humbled and honoured to be appointed head coach of Chelsea Football Club,” Rosenior said in a statement. “This is a club with a unique spirit and a proud history of winning trophies.
“My job is to protect that identity and create a team that reflects these values in every game we play as we continue winning trophies.
“To be entrusted with this role means the world to me and I want to thank all involved for the opportunity and faith in undertaking this job. I will give everything to bring the success this club deserves.”
Rosenior takes over at a critical moment in Chelsea’s season. They are currently fifth in the Premier League, 17 points behind leaders Arsenal, and take on West London rivals Fulham at Craven Cottage on Wednesday.
In the FA Cup third round on Saturday, they face another capital club in second-tier Charlton Athletic, then the table-topping Gunners in a League Cup semi-final first leg on January 14.
In the Uefa Champions League, Chelsea are 13th, two points outside automatic qualification for the knockout stages with two games left to play.
“I believe deeply in teamwork, unity, togetherness and working for one another, and those values will be at the heart of everything we do. They will be the foundation of our success,” added Rosenior, who has also managed Derby County and Hull City in England.
“I am excited to work with this extremely talented group of players and staff, to build strong connections on and off the pitch, and to create an environment where everyone feels united and driven by the same goal.
“I want our fans to be proud of who we are and what we represent in every single game that we play. They are the soul of this enormous, historic and huge football club.”