Wayne Rooney has delivered a powerful endorsement of Liam Rosenior, declaring the coach has served his "apprenticeship" and is fully prepared to take on the managerial role at Chelsea. Rosenior is poised to leave his position as head coach of Strasbourg to succeed Enzo Maresca at Stamford Bridge, having travelled to west London for talks with the club's hierarchy on Sunday.
Rooney's Ringing Endorsement
Speaking on his BBC show, the former England captain left no doubt about his belief in Rosenior's abilities. "If he goes in there, he won’t disappoint," Rooney stated. He emphasised that Rosenior has been waiting for such a high-profile opportunity and argued that now is the time to seize it. "He’s done his apprenticeship, he’s done his work to try and get to that job," Rooney added, confirming the coach would have no self-doubt about his capability.
Rooney, who worked closely with Rosenior when the latter was his assistant at Derby County, praised his former colleague's meticulous approach. "I think Liam is as good a coach as I’ve ever worked with. His detail, how he approaches the day-to-day, he’s as good as I’ve worked with," he said. Rooney also highlighted the significance of the potential appointment for young English coaches in the game.
Rosenior's Path to Chelsea
The 41-year-old Englishman's journey to the brink of the Chelsea job has been a calculated one. After acting as interim boss at Derby following Rooney's departure in 2022, he spent two years in charge of Hull City. Despite guiding the Tigers to the verge of the Championship play-offs, he was dismissed in 2024.
His subsequent 18-month tenure at Strasbourg, a club under the same ownership umbrella as Chelsea, has been widely praised. This experience at a sister club within the multi-club model appears to have been a key factor in making him the leading candidate for the vacancy at Stamford Bridge.
The Swift Exit of Enzo Maresca
This managerial reshuffle follows Chelsea's decision to part ways with Enzo Maresca after a rapid and significant breakdown in his relationship with the club's board. Tensions had been simmering since as early as September 2025, exacerbated by a poor start to the current season.
The situation escalated dramatically in the week leading up to his departure. Maresca had publicly expressed his dissatisfaction, notably referring to his "worst 48 hours" at the club following a 2-0 win over Everton on 13 December 2025. This comment was understood to relate directly to frustrations over a perceived lack of support from the hierarchy.
This fallout occurred despite Maresca delivering trophy success in the previous season, winning both the Europa Conference League and the Club World Cup. Increased scrutiny on his performance since September ultimately led to the swift conclusion of his tenure, paving the way for Rosenior's anticipated appointment.
