Official: Chelsea appoint Liam Rosenior as new head coach

Cameron Smith

• 6 Jan 2026 04:32 CST
• 4 min read

News

Chelsea have officially appointed Liam Rosenior as their new head coach following the departure of Enzo Maresca on New Year’s Day.

Rosenior, 41, has been the manager of Chelsea’s sister club Strasbourg since the beginning of the 2024-25 season and he has now made the step up to Stamford Bridge on a six-and-a-half year contract.

The former Brighton & Hove Albion and Hull City defender will be tasked with guiding Chelsea back into the Champions League for the second consecutive season, while he will also hope to progress into the latter stages of this year’s competition.

In an official statement posted on the Chelsea website, Rosenior said: “I am extremely humbled and honoured to be appointed Head Coach of Chelsea Football Club. 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.

"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.

"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.

"There is a real hunger to win, and I will give everything, every single day, to help this team compete and win at the very highest level to make everyone connected and proud to be a part of Chelsea Football Club.

"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.

"I cannot wait to meet you all. I cannot wait to get started."

Rosenior’s arrival at Stamford Bridge comes after the aforementioned Maresca left the club by mutual consent on 1 January following a bust-up with the Blues hierarchy.

The 45-year-old guided Chelsea to Club World Cup and Europa Conference League glory during his debut season at the helm, however tensions with the club’s owners emerged this campaign and he departed after just one win in his final seven Premier League fixtures.

Chelsea appoint Liam Rosenior as new head coach

Rosenior was quickly identified as Chelsea’s primary replacement target for Maresca, with the likes of Roberto De Zerbi, Cesc Fabregas and Francesco Farioli being dismissed as possible options.

The Englishman’s first game in charge of Chelsea will come against their west London rivals Fulham on Wednesday, with the club looking to secure their first victory since a 3-1 win over Cardiff City in the Carabao Cup in mid-December.

The Blues will then face Championship side Charlton Athletic in the FA Cup on Saturday.

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