Hull City's owner, Acun Ilicali, has publicly shared his thoughts on Liam Rosenior's surprising ascent to the Chelsea hotseat, insisting his former manager's tactical approach is perfectly suited to the demands of the Premier League.
The Painful Decision and a Lasting Friendship
Ilicali appointed Rosenior to his first permanent managerial role at Hull City in November 2022. However, he made the difficult choice to dismiss the coach after the 2023/24 season concluded without a Championship play-off place.
The Turkish businessman admits it was one of his hardest decisions, given the close bond they forged. Their 18-month partnership included trips to the World Cup final and Champions League final, as well as holidays in Turkey.
"I really respect Liam as a person first and foremost, but also as a coach," Ilicali told football.london. "I felt that his style was not suited to the Championship and I wanted something different in the end. It was a really hard decision to part ways because of the relationship we had together."
From Zoom Interview to Stamford Bridge
Ilicali first encountered Rosenior's drive during a Zoom interview conducted from Los Angeles. He was impressed after watching a Hull game against Derby County, where Rosenior served as assistant to Wayne Rooney.
"I saw a young manager full of passion and focus on being successful," Ilicali recalled. "He really just affected me. I was really impressed." This led to Rosenior's appointment, a period the owner remembers fondly for lifting the club.
While proud, Ilicali confesses he is surprised by the speed of Rosenior's rise to a club of Chelsea's stature, comparing it to other young appointments like Vincent Kompany at Bayern Munich.
Why Rosenior Can Succeed at Chelsea
Ilicali pinpointed several key strengths that could help Rosenior navigate the pressures at Stamford Bridge:
- Man-Management: He expertly handled big personalities at Hull, like Jean Michael Seri and Ozan Tufan, and players who have since moved to the Premier League.
- Player Development: Ilicali hailed Rosenior as "the best at developing players," citing significant improvements in talents like Liam Delap, Tyler Morton, and Jacob Greaves.
- Playing Philosophy: Crucially, Ilicali believes Rosenior's possession-heavy style, which he felt was unsuited for the Championship, will thrive in the Premier League where he will have "the weapons to play that game."
However, the Hull owner issued a note of caution, advising Chelsea to grant Rosenior time. "It is not his team now," he stated, suggesting long-term success will come once the coach can mould the squad to his vision.
Ilicali concluded by wishing his friend well and expressing a desire to see Hull City face Chelsea in the Premier League in the near future.
