Chelsea close in on new head coach as Liam Rosenior jets in for talks

Blues have been without a manager since Enzo Maresca’s shock New Year’s Day departure Liam Rosenior has flown to London for talks about becoming the next Chelsea manager. The Englishman is manager of French side Strasbourg, who sit seventh in Ligue 1 and are run by the BlueCo consortium that also owns Chelsea. Rosenior emerged as the leading candidate to succeed Enzo Maresca as Chelsea head coach shortly after the Italian departed the club on New Year’s Day. Standard Sport understands he flew from Strasbourg to London on Sunday afternoon alongside club president Marc Keller and sporting director David Weir ahead of talks to discuss becoming the new permanent Chelsea head coach. Talks are expected to take place in the next 24 hours between Chelsea, Rosenior, and Strasbourg, as represented by Keller and Weir. Sources at Strasbourg insist Rosenior will not sign a contract to become the new Chelsea head coach until Strasbourg have lined up a suitable replacement for their own head coach position. Chelsea’s Under-21s head coach Calum McFarlane was in charge for the Blues’ 1-1 draw at Manchester City on Sunday evening.

McFarlane, who was taking charge of his very first senior match, has been linked in some reports with the Strasbourg job if Rosenior were to join Chelsea and leave that post. But asked whether he might be in the reckoning for the role, McFarlane said on Sunday: “That’s the first I’ve heard of that. I have no idea.” McFarlane revealed that when he was told on Thursday that he would be preparing the team for the City match, he was informed that Chelsea’s new permanent head coach could be “in on Monday.” It is understood that the Chelsea sporting director informing him of this was referring to Rosenior. Chelsea have a training session on Monday at their training ground in Cobham. McFarlane is expecting to be leading that session, saying: “unless this evening I am told otherwise”. Rosenior, 41, was appointed Strasbourg head coach in July 2024, just over two months after he had been sacked as manager of Hull City. Speaking on Saturday, he said: “There is nothing concrete. I don't know what will happen. I love this club more than many people think. [My time at Strasbourg has been] the 18 best months of my professional life. “I loved everything. The players were incredible. I really want the best for this club. I don't know if this is my last match. In life, you never know."