New Chelsea head coach Liam Rosenior has laid out his ambitious vision to transform the Blues into a "world class team" during his inaugural press conference at Stamford Bridge. The 41-year-old, who joined from French side RC Strasbourg, faces his first test in charge this Saturday, 10 January 2026, with an FA Cup third-round tie away to Charlton Athletic.
Realising Chelsea's Potential is the 'Biggest Hurdle'
Rosenior immediately addressed the central challenge facing his squad, emphasising the gap between potential and achievement. "The biggest hurdle we have is realising the full potential we have," stated the former defender. "Having potential is one thing. We need to not be a potentially world-class team, we need to be a world-class team."
He takes over a side in a difficult spell of form, with just one win in their last nine Premier League matches following a midweek defeat to Fulham. Despite this, Chelsea remain in the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup and have a chance to finish in the top eight of the Champions League phase, which would secure automatic qualification for the knockout rounds.
Winning Games and Building a Fearless Fortress
Rosenior was clear about the demands of managing a club of Chelsea's stature and the need to deliver results to win over the supporters. "At a club of this stature, the fans want success and they have every right to want success," he explained. "To win over the fans, I need to win games of football, build a team that represents them."
He outlined a key tactical ambition for his tenure, adding, "My job is to try and create a team where teams fear coming to Stamford Bridge." However, he urged his players to adopt a focused, game-by-game mentality as the foundation for any sustained success.
Embracing Pressure as a Privilege
The former Hull City manager also spoke candidly about the intense pressure that comes with the role, acknowledging the high turnover of managers in modern football. "The pressure is there from day one. It comes with the territory. If you're scared then there's no point becoming a coach," Rosenior said.
He reframed this expectation as a positive force, stating, "Pressure is a privilege and there are so many people in the world who would love to be in my shoes and I want to remember that." He identified creating the right culture and values within the squad as the fundamental challenge for any club.
Following the FA Cup clash at The Valley, Rosenior's first major test comes swiftly with the Carabao Cup semi-final first leg against Arsenal on Wednesday 14 January.
