Liam Rosenior Emerges as Top Candidate for Chelsea Manager Position
Liam Rosenior, the manager of Strasbourg, is currently the leading candidate to take over as the head coach of Chelsea following the departure of Enzo Maresca.
Maresca, who previously managed Leicester City, left his position at Chelsea on Thursday amid reported tensions with the club's management and ownership.
The search for his successor is underway, with Rosenior identified as the frontrunner. However, sources indicate that other candidates are also being evaluated.
Rosenior's current club is owned by BlueCo, the investment consortium that purchased Chelsea in 2022. The 41-year-old, who has prior experience managing Hull City, enjoys significant support within Chelsea, and discussions are already taking place regarding potential replacements for him at Strasbourg should he accept the Chelsea role.
Another name in contention is Francesco Farioli, currently at FC Porto.
Before appointing Maresca in 2024, Chelsea had interviewed several candidates including Roberto de Zerbi from Marseille, Kieran McKenna from Ipswich, and Thomas Frank, who was managing Brentford at that time but has since moved to Tottenham. Bournemouth's Andoni Iraola and Fulham's Marco Silva have also been previously linked to the position, although their current candidacy remains uncertain.
The club has expressed a commitment to maintaining their style of play, suggesting that they are unlikely to pursue Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner.
Rosenior is highly regarded by the BlueCo ownership, and last year, former Chelsea defender Ben Chilwell remarked to BBC Sport that he believes Rosenior will ascend to the highest levels of football management.
Since his dismissal from Hull in 2024, Rosenior has successfully led Strasbourg to a seventh-place finish in Ligue 1, securing a spot in European competition. This season, Strasbourg is currently positioned seventh in Ligue 1, having faced challenges with three losses in their last four matches, including one draw.
Rosenior's reputation for nurturing talent and his adept management style have made him a sought-after figure in the footballing world, with links to clubs such as Bayer Leverkusen last summer. However, allowing him to leave for Chelsea could create discontent among Strasbourg supporters, some of whom view their club as a 'feeder' for Chelsea.
Roberto de Zerbi, previously at Brighton, has garnered attention for his successful stint, leading the club into Europe and the FA Cup semi-finals. Despite a dip in domestic performance in the 2023-24 season, he remains a strong candidate, although he is currently managing a Marseille team that is performing well in Ligue 1 and the Champions League.
Kieran McKenna has previously interviewed for the Chelsea role and has a mutual respect with the club's leadership. His successful tenure at Ipswich has seen them rise to second place in the Championship.
Francesco Farioli, now at Porto, has made a significant impact, leading his team to the top of the Portuguese Primeira Liga. Should Chelsea pursue him, they would need to meet a reported £13 million buyout clause.
Lastly, Frank Lampard, a Chelsea legend, is currently excelling at Coventry City in the Championship. Despite mixed results from his previous managerial stints at Chelsea, a return could resonate positively with many fans.