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Analysis
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Strasbourg president admits Chelsea frustration after Rosenior exit
Tom Weber
- Updated: 7 Jan 2026 16:39 GMT
- 4 min read
News
Strasbourg president Marc Keller has admitted that the circumstances surrounding Liam Rosenior's move to Chelsea were far from ideal.
The 41-year-old was officially named the Blues' new head coach on Tuesday, taking over from Enzo Maresca following the Italian's explosive exit on New Year's Day.
Rosenior departed BlueCo sister club Strasbourg in the midst of a successful season. His team finished top of the table in the league phase of the Conference League and are currently seventh in Ligue 1. Naturally, fans of the Alsatian club were left fuming.
Strasbourg's most vocal supporters' groups have persistently protested against BlueCo's ownership since the takeover in 2023, and this latest raid was perceived as yet another sign that their proud club has lost any semblance of independence.
An official statement described Rosenior's exit as "humiliating" and as a clear indication of Strasbourg's "subservience" to Chelsea. It is reminiscent of the fallout following the announcement that captain Emmanuel Emegha would join the Blues after this season.
Strasbourg chief admits Rosenior frustration
The man who has had to bear the brunt of the fans' anger is long-time Strasbourg president Marc Keller. Supporters are once again calling for his resignation and believe that bringing BlueCo on board has tarnished the reputation of this previously respected figure.
“Every additional contortion by Marc Keller, every extra minute spent at the helm of the club, is an insult to the tremendous work accomplished before 2023," the aforementioned statement read, recognising the fact that Keller was instrumental in Strasbourg's return to Ligue 1.
Keller has now responded. Speaking at Gary O'Neil's unveiling as Strasbourg's new head coach, the president hinted at frustration with the circumstances surrounding Rosenior's exit.
"Liam's departure wasn't planned," he admitted. "I can understand the surprise, even the disappointment, of some of our supporters. And do you think I'm happy about it? The situation was neither planned nor desired by anyone at the club. Sometimes, you have to adapt in football.
"Decisions have to be made. I had several discussions with Liam; we trusted each other. He had already received an offer from a Champions League club, and we extended his contract [until 2028]. We wanted to keep him.
"We talked about it again on Friday, and then in Nice on Saturday. I sensed he was dreaming of an opportunity in the Premier League and also going through a period where he wanted to be closer to his family, as a person.
"My position was then to adapt. He was allowed to speak to Chelsea, but we wanted to have a replacement first.”
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