Liam Rosenior, the manager of French Ligue 1 side Strasbourg, has publicly addressed the growing speculation that he is the leading candidate to become the new Chelsea manager. This follows the sudden dismissal of Enzo Maresca by the Premier League club earlier this week.
Rosenior's Candid Press Conference Comments
Speaking after Strasbourg's 1-1 draw with Nice on Saturday, the 41-year-old English coach was directly questioned about his future. While he stopped short of confirming any approach from Chelsea, his remarks clearly outlined his professional ambitions. "I think every coach wants to work at the highest possible level," Rosenior stated. "I've never been afraid to say that."
He expressed deep affection for his current club, saying, "I love this group. I love this club, more than most people probably think. I've had the 18 best months of my professional career, for sure." However, he acknowledged the rumours, adding, "Things aren't concrete, there may be interest, we'll see."
The Chelsea and Strasbourg Connection
The link is particularly strong due to the shared ownership structure. Both Chelsea and Strasbourg are under the control of BlueCo, the consortium led by Chelsea chairman Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital. Rosenior has been in charge at Strasbourg since July 2024 and successfully guided them to a seventh-place finish last season, securing European football.
When asked about contact with BlueCo, Rosenior praised their support: "They have been so supportive of me in this job. They want this club to do so well as they also want Chelsea to do well." He signed a new three-year contract with Strasbourg towards the end of the last campaign, despite reported interest from other Premier League sides.
Focus on the Present Amidst the Noise
Rosenior was keen to emphasise his current commitment, insisting his primary focus remains on Strasbourg. "At the moment, nothing has happened, and that's all I can say on the matter," he told reporters. He warned that distraction could be detrimental, saying, "If you focus on other clubs when you're doing your job for your club, you're not doing your job for the club."
Ahead of the match in Nice, he had similarly deflected, noting, "If you're a manager and you take notice of what's being said in the media, you'd probably go crazy. My job is here." Chelsea are expected to move swiftly to appoint a successor to Maresca, who was sacked on New Year's Day, and Rosenior's comments have done little to dampen the belief that he is the top target.
