Liam Rosenior announces verbal agreement to manage Chelsea

On Tuesday, Liam Rosenior revealed that he has verbally agreed to take the helm at Premier League powerhouse Chelsea, describing it as an opportunity he simply cannot refuse.

"It appears I will be the next manager of that team (Chelsea)," stated the Englishman during a press conference at his current outfit, Ligue 1 club Strasbourg.

The somewhat obscure 41 year old Rosenior emerged as the top choice to follow Enzo Maresca after the Italian's dismissal on Thursday, especially given that both Strasbourg and Chelsea fall under the BlueCo ownership group.

The ex Hull City boss, lacking any prior Premier League management experience, is set to be Chelseas fourth full time manager since BlueCo assumed control of the London side in 2022.

While Chelsea have not yet officially announced the move, they conducted discussions with Rosenior in London on Monday.

Rosenior chose to break the news personally in Strasbourg due to his strong attachment to the club.

"All terms are settled and it should be finalised within the coming hours," he added.

"I am present because I value this club greatly and believed it appropriate to address your queries in person here prior to my departure."

Rosenior is unaccustomed to the intense scrutiny from the media that awaits him in west London.

Following a brief tenure leading Brightons under 23s, Rosenior launched his senior management path in 2019 at Derby County, initially alongside Phillip Cocu and subsequently assisting Wayne Rooney.

In 2022, Rosenior stepped in temporarily for Rooney and later that year assumed the managerial role at Championship side Hull City.

After a tenure of just over 18 months, he departed and in July 2024 joined Strasbourg, steering them to a seventh place finish in the previous campaign.