Chelsea is on the verge of appointing Liam Rosenior as their new head coach, following his arrival in London on Sunday. The 41-year-old recently managed Strasbourg to a goalless draw against Nice but stated after the match that he had not yet engaged in discussions with Chelsea. However, conversations are expected to ramp up as Rosenior has emerged as the club’s preferred candidate.
The alignment of Chelsea’s ownership group with Strasbourg, following the takeover by BlueCo in 2022, is anticipated to facilitate a smoother transition. Rosenior traveled to London accompanied by Strasbourg president Marc Keller and sporting director David Weir. Although a formal deal has not yet been completed, there is increasing optimism that the process could advance quickly, with an official announcement potentially arriving in the next few days, possibly before Wednesday’s match against Fulham.
Chelsea recently parted ways with Enzo Maresca, prompting under-21s manager Calum McFarlane to step in and lead his first senior game against Manchester City. That game ended in a 1-1 draw, with Enzo Fernández equalizing in the dying moments after Tijjani Reijnders had given City the lead.
After the match, McFarlane indicated that plans were in place for the upcoming days, stressing his focus on training and leading the team until notified otherwise about the new head coach’s formal arrival. He also highlighted the team’s commendable response to recent turbulence, which included injuries to defender Wesley Fofana and goalkeeper Robert Sánchez.
Chelsea’s young players showed resilience during a challenging period, impressing McFarlane with their ability to regroup and perform under pressure. The efforts of the squad have been a bright spot amid the managerial upheaval and other challenges, demonstrating the strong character of the team’s younger members.
Meanwhile, as Chelsea moves forward with their plans, potential replacement candidates for Rosenior at Strasbourg include former Bournemouth and Wolves boss Gary O’Neill, ensuring a dynamic coaching landscape ahead.