Liam Rosenior has publicly addressed the intense speculation linking him with the vacant head coach position at Chelsea, admitting there are "no guarantees" he will see out the season with his current club, Strasbourg.
The Delicate Dance of a Dual-Club Ownership
The 41-year-old Englishman is the leading contender to replace Enzo Maresca, who departed Stamford Bridge on New Year's Day. However, a swift appointment is complicated by the unique structure of club ownership. Both Chelsea and Strasbourg are owned by the multi-club investment vehicle, BlueCo, which is keen to handle the situation with sensitivity towards both teams.
This means a quality replacement for Rosenior must be secured at Strasbourg before he can be released to make the move to West London. Consequently, Chelsea's Under-21s coach, Calum McFarlane, will take interim charge for the Blues' Premier League fixture away at Manchester City on Sunday.
Rosenior's Candid Comments on His Future
Rosenior, who will be in the dugout when Strasbourg face Nice in Ligue 1 on Saturday evening, was direct when asked about his commitment to the French club. "There are no guarantees in life," he stated. "What I do know is that I put everything into this job. I've created some unbelievable connections... but to say I'm definitely going to be somewhere or definitely going to do something, I don't think that's right."
He further revealed, "In terms of interest for other clubs, I've had a lot of interest." It is understood this includes approaches from other Premier League sides and even from Bundesliga champions Bayer Leverkusen during his tenure at Strasbourg, where he has impressed by guiding the team to seventh in Ligue 1 and making them contenders in the Europa Conference League.
Why Chelsea See Rosenior as the Ideal Fit
Chelsea's interest is driven by several key factors. Rosenior has longstanding relationships with three of Chelsea's five sporting directors, and his tactical philosophy is seen as closely aligned with that of his predecessor, Maresca. His profile as a young, articulate, and ambitious coach fits the club's modern model.
While the expectation is that Rosenior will ultimately take the helm at Stamford Bridge—a role he was viewed as a long-term successor for even before Maresca's exit—Chelsea are covering their bases. The club have also considered other candidates, including Porto's Francesco Farioli, and have alternative options in the pipeline.
For now, the immediate focus is on a managed transition. Rosenior praised BlueCo's leadership, saying, "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." Chelsea fans will be hoping for a resolution soon, but may have to wait until after the trip to Fulham on Wednesday for a new permanent boss to be installed.
