In the annals of English football, one managerial tenure stands out for its astonishing brevity. Leroy Rosenior's second stint in charge of Torquay United lasted a mere ten minutes in May 2007, securing his place in the history books.
The Record-Breaking Ten Minutes
Rosenior, the father of current Strasbourg boss and reported Chelsea target Liam Rosenior, had previously managed Torquay between 2002 and 2006. His first spell was a success, notably leading the Gulls to promotion to League One in 2004. However, his return to the club the following year would become infamous.
After agreeing to terms and signing his contract, Rosenior was almost immediately contacted by then-chairman Mike Bateson. Bateson informed the manager that he had just accepted an offer to sell the club to a local consortium during the short window after the appointment. The deal had been finalised with startling speed, rendering Rosenior's new position obsolete before he had even begun.
A Swift Change in Leadership
The new ownership group, which included local solicitor Cris Boyce, moved quickly to install their own management team. Former Torquay player and coach Colin Lee was appointed director of football, and one of his first actions was to remove Rosenior. Lee then named ex-Brentford midfielder Paul Buckle as the new head coach.
Reflecting on the surreal episode in a 2016 interview with the BBC, Rosenior Sr. displayed remarkable equanimity. "I thought he was joking," he said of the chairman's call. "It's weird because I was there previously for four years, got promoted and had some wonderful times as manager. But everybody talks about the ten minutes." He added that he was pleased for Bateson and that they all moved on.
Family Ties and Future Prospects
This peculiar piece of family history is back in the spotlight as Leroy's son, Liam Rosenior, is now a prominent figure in management himself. Currently at French club Strasbourg, Liam is reportedly a top candidate for the vacant Chelsea job following the dismissal of Enzo Maresca.
Liam has managed Strasbourg since 2024, guiding them to a seventh-place finish in Ligue 1 last season. While their league form has dipped recently, they lead their UEFA Conference League group. His father's record-breaking ten-minute reign at Torquay United, which eclipsed Dave Bassett's four-day stint at Crystal Palace in 1984, remains a unique footnote in football lore—one he will undoubtedly hope his son avoids emulating in his own career.
