Article by Alexandru Tomuțiu – Published Friday, January 09, 2026, 5:31 p.m. / Updated Friday, January 9, 2026, 5:32 p.m.
Liam Rosenior (41), Chelsea's new manager, spoke with confidence at his first press conference in his new capacity.
After a low-key career at Derby County, Hull City and Strasbourg in France, Liam Rosenior reached the peak of his career and, at 41, became Chelsea's new manager.
Liam Rosenior: “I was laughed at in France”
His experience in Strasbourg, where he has spent the last year and a half, started hard, but ended well. “When I arrived in Strasbourg in 2024, I was laughed at, I was the target of jokes in the French media and it was said that my team would finish last.
We were a nobody from England and finished just three points off the UEFA Champions League qualification places. Noise is just noise. I am not promising anything, but I am working in this direction and I strongly believe that we can be very successful here. My time in Strasbourg was the best of my professional career, now I intend to enjoy my time here,” he said.
“I've just said that I don't have to limit your ambitions. I'm not arrogant, but I'm good at what I do. In all the positions I've held, whether as an interim or assistant coach, I've always been successful. I've always wanted to be at a club like this. No one can guarantee victories or success, but I've worked long and hard to achieve them,” he added.
Rosenior was invited to share which coaches have inspired him, and he started with one in particular. “I grew up with my dad. My dad was a coach and he was obsessed with football and so I was too. Arrigo Sacchi's Milan. Louis van Gaal's Ajax and Barcelona. My dad always encouraged me to follow foreign teams because he liked to see them play and that influenced me and influenced my current playing style.
Luis Enrique — I was lucky enough to play against him in France; Roberto De Zerbi. Pep Guardiola was one of my heroes and now I will be able to face him. It's about having respect, but never to the point where we think we can't be successful.”
Rosenior will make his Chelsea debut at Charlton's ground in the FA Cup.
I've always wanted to be at a club like this. No one can guarantee victories or success, but I worked long and hard to achieve them.
– Liam Rosenior
