Chelsea Football Club have confirmed the temporary appointment of former Leeds United and Brighton & Hove Albion goalkeeper Casper Ankergren to their coaching staff. The 46-year-old Dane will work alongside first-team goalkeeping coach Ben Roberts, reuniting a partnership that previously flourished at Brighton.
Ankergren's Role and Background
Ankergren's role will involve assisting in the training of Chelsea's goalkeepers, including Robert Sanchez and his backups Filip Jorgensen, 23, and Teddy Sharman-Lowe, 22. This temporary position is set to last until the conclusion of the 2025-26 season, providing cover for a staff member who is currently recuperating from surgery.
After concluding his playing career at Brighton in 2017, Ankergren transitioned into a technical staff role, where he initially worked under Ben Roberts, who was then in charge of the goalkeepers at the Seagulls. This experience laid the foundation for their current collaboration at Chelsea.
Coaching Journey and Recent Moves
Ankergren's coaching career includes a stint at Brighton where he worked with Graham Potter after Potter succeeded Chris Hughton as manager in 2019. His most recent position was as part of West Ham United's backroom staff, where he supported Potter. Ankergren joined the Hammers in July 2025, but Potter's dismissal in September of that year led to his departure.
Prior to his move to West Ham, Ankergren served as the head of goalkeeping at Brodnby, showcasing his expertise in developing goalkeeping talent across different clubs.
Chelsea's Staffing Strategy Under Rosenior
Since Liam Rosenior's arrival at Chelsea in January, he has implemented a strategic approach to staffing, bringing in several key personnel from Strasbourg. This includes assistants Kalifa Cisse and Justin Walker, analyst Ben Warner, and the promotion of Calum McFarlane from leading the Under-21s to the first-team staff.
Ben Roberts, who holds the title of head of global goalkeeping at Chelsea, has taken a hands-on role in managing the club's goalkeepers under Rosenior's leadership. Ankergren's appointment is seen as a reinforcement of this coaching structure, aimed at enhancing the performance of Chelsea's goalkeeping unit as the club pursues a Champions League finish.
The addition of Ankergren is expected to provide valuable support and experience, leveraging his past successes and relationships within the football community to benefit Chelsea's squad during this critical period.
