Rosenior Noncommittal on Chelsea Links While at Strasbourg

Strasbourg manager Liam Rosenior, who reports suggest is the top candidate to succeed Enzo Maresca at Chelsea, stated on Friday that he is ignoring all the gossip.

The Italian Maresca departed Chelsea on Thursday, with the side languishing in fifth position following just one victory in their previous seven Premier League outings, and amid claims he discussed replacing Pep Guardiola at Manchester City.

Strasbourg falls under the ownership of Chelsea's holding group BlueCo, and Rosenior has shone in his debut year there by steering the team to seventh in the standings.

"I do not pay attention to it. As a coach, if you start heeding media chatter, you might lose your mind," Rosenior remarked before Sunday's away game against Nice in Ligue 1.

"My role is right here. I adore this team. I am concentrating on securing a win in the match ahead.

"Naturally, I know about the buzz, yet I see it as a nod to the excellent efforts from everyone at this outfit."

That said, when a reporter asked if he planned to stay with Strasbourg for the next half year, Rosenior offered a more evasive reply.

"Life offers no certainties. Regarding attention from rival teams, I have faced plenty of it, and numerous propositions, all of which I have shared transparently with the club," he explained.

"I keep my attention on my current duties. But claiming I will certainly remain in one spot or pursue a specific path feels incorrect, since unexpected events arise in life."

Rosenior launched his permanent coaching tenure at Hull City in November 2022, inheriting a squad in 21st place in the Championship after 10 defeats in their opening 18 fixtures.

His side suffered only six additional losses that term as he lifted them to 15th, building on that success the next year with a seventh place finish.

He subsequently joined Strasbourg and earned them a European spot in his initial campaign. This term, they sit seventh in Ligue 1 and lead their Europa Conference League group.