Liam Rosenior is on the brink of being confirmed as Chelsea's new manager after travelling to London on Sunday to finalise a deal to succeed Enzo Maresca. The 41-year-old, currently in charge of Chelsea's sister club Strasbourg, flew from France accompanied by senior officials to complete the appointment.
From Strasbourg to Stamford Bridge
Rosenior's move comes swiftly after Maresca left his position as Chelsea boss on Thursday following reported tensions with the club's hierarchy. This left under-21s coach Calum McFarlane in temporary charge for Chelsea's Premier League away fixture at Manchester City.
The former Hull City manager took charge of Strasbourg for their Ligue 1 match against Nice on Saturday, which ended in a 1-1 draw, before returning with the team. In his post-match press conference, Rosenior addressed the speculation linking him to the Chelsea vacancy, stating his ambition to "work at the highest possible level" while expressing deep affection for his current club.
Final Stages of Appointment
According to reports from L'Equipe, Rosenior departed France on Sunday afternoon on a flight to London. He was accompanied by Strasbourg president Marc Keller and sporting director David Weir, indicating the formal nature of the discussions.
As a result, Rosenior will not take training at Strasbourg on Monday and is expected to be installed in time to lead Chelsea for their next Premier League encounter against Fulham on Wednesday night. To manage the transition at the French club, his assistant coaches Filipe Coelho and Jean-Marc Kuentz are set to oversee training duties.
Rosenior's Emotional Strasbourg Farewell
Speaking after what appears to be his final game in charge of Strasbourg, Rosenior was effusive in his praise for the club. "I love this group. I love this club, more than most people probably think," he said. "I've had the 18 best months of my professional career, for sure... this club has given me so much."
However, he acknowledged the possibility of the move, noting the special relationship between the clubs. "I know that they're (Chelsea) looking for a manager. Obviously, it's our sister club," he stated, before reiterating his focus remained on Strasbourg until any deal was concrete.
With Rosenior's departure imminent, attention at Strasbourg turns to a permanent replacement. Minnesota United coach Eric Ramsay, who shares an agent with Rosenior, is reportedly the favourite to take over at the Ligue 1 side.
