Rooney Backs Rosenior as Chelsea Move Nears
Liam Rosenior is closing in on becoming Chelsea’s new manager following the shock New Year’s Day departure of Enzo Maresca, and the potential appointment has drawn a strong endorsement from Wayne Rooney.
The former Manchester United captain, who worked closely with Rosenior during an 18-month spell at Derby County, has backed the Strasbourg head coach to succeed if handed the job at Stamford Bridge.
Rooney’s support carries weight given their time together in difficult circumstances at Derby. When Rooney took on his first managerial role in 2021, Rosenior was promoted from first-team coach to assistant manager and quickly became a central figure behind the scenes.
At the time, Rosenior was the more experienced coach and played a key role in shaping Derby’s day-to-day work as the club battled financial turmoil and points deductions in the Championship. Rooney has since credited Rosenior with helping him adapt to management and praised his attention to detail and coaching standards.
The timing of Chelsea’s interest is significant. Rosenior has steadily built his reputation after leaving Hull City in 2023 following a disagreement over football philosophy, despite pushing the club close to the Championship play-offs. His next step took him abroad, where he has continued to impress.
Strasbourg appointed Rosenior in the summer of 2024 after Patrick Vieira’s departure, and the transition to Ligue 1 proved smooth. He guided the club to a seventh-place finish in his first season, securing qualification for the UEFA Conference League while adapting to a new league, culture, and language.
That momentum has carried into the current campaign. Strasbourg sit seventh again in Ligue 1 and topped their Conference League group with five wins from six matches, form that prompted the club to offer Rosenior a contract extension before the season reached its midpoint.
Chelsea’s situation has created a different kind of atmosphere. Maresca’s sudden exit has left the club moving quickly, with Under-21 coach Calum McFarlane stepping in for the immediate fixtures. The urgency around the appointment reflects both the pressure of the Premier League schedule and the expectations attached to the role.
There are no major controversies around Rosenior’s candidacy, but questions remain about experience at the highest level. Rooney has dismissed those concerns, pointing to Rosenior’s coaching pedigree and the groundwork laid across his previous roles.
If confirmed, Rosenior would arrive at Chelsea with a reputation for structured build-up play, strong training-ground organisation, and clear tactical messaging. Those traits have underpinned Strasbourg’s consistency and earned respect within coaching circles.
Time may work against an immediate debut. Chelsea’s upcoming league clash with Fulham could come too soon, making it more likely that McFarlane remains in charge. The FA Cup third-round tie against Charlton Athletic is a more realistic starting point, ahead of a demanding run that includes a Carabao Cup semi-final against Arsenal.
For Rosenior, the move would mark a defining step and a rare opportunity for an English coach at an elite club. For Chelsea, it would signal a commitment to a long-term coaching project rather than a short-term fix, with the coming weeks set to shape both the club’s season and Rosenior’s career trajectory.