Chelsea have swiftly moved to solidify their new managerial setup, with Liam Rosenior officially confirmed as the club's head coach and immediately appointing three trusted colleagues from his former club, Strasbourg.
The Backroom Team Following Rosenior to Stamford Bridge
Rosenior, who was appointed after the sudden departure of Enzo Maresca on New Year's Day, will not be arriving at Cobham alone. He is bringing with him a trio of key staff members from the French Ligue 1 side, which is also under the BlueCo ownership umbrella.
The group includes first-team coach Kalifa Cisse and assistant manager Justin Walker, while head of analysis Ben Warner is also set to join the Chelsea backroom team. Their appointments mark Rosenior's first significant step in shaping his operation at the Premier League club.
Profiles of Rosenior's Trusted Lieutenants
Kalifa Cisse is a former Mali international midfielder who played alongside Rosenior at Reading. At Strasbourg, he served as a first-team coach and also acted as a translator for the English manager. Rosenior was effusive in his praise, stating: "He's not just a translator. He's an unbelievable guy... I've never met anyone with such extreme values and emotional intelligence."
Justin Walker was Rosenior's assistant manager in France, continuing a partnership that began during their time together at Hull City. Ben Warner, the 32-year-old analyst making the move, has a long-standing working relationship with Rosenior, having collaborated at Derby County, Hull City, and most recently Strasbourg after beginning his career at Nottingham Forest.
The Immediate Challenge at Chelsea
The new coaching team faces a formidable and urgent task. Chelsea's form has dipped alarmingly; the squad has managed just one win in its last eight Premier League matches. This poor run has seen them slide from third position in November down to fifth, now trailing leaders Arsenal by a significant 17-point margin after 20 games.
Rosenior is expected to observe from the stands during Chelsea's upcoming London derby against Fulham at Craven Cottage, with under-21s coach Calum McFarlane taking temporary charge. His first official match in the dugout will be Saturday's FA Cup third-round trip to face Charlton Athletic.
The new manager's remit is clear: to stabilise the team and maximise the potential of a squad packed with expensive, international talent—a stark contrast to the less-heralded group he worked with in France. In his statement, Rosenior emphasised his commitment to the club's identity, saying: "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."
