Rosenior confirms his appointment as Chelsea manager as he reveals verbal agreement reached to replace Maresca.
Liam Rosenior confirms he is heading to Chelsea as head coach from Strasbourg.
Liam Rosenior claims to have “verbally agreed” to a contract to become Chelsea’s head coach, saying he was unable to pass up the chance to succeed Enzo Maresca at Stamford Bridge.
After discussing the position on Monday, Rosenior is departing Strasbourg for Chelsea, their associate club. He stated this on Tuesday during a press conference in Strasbourg.
“I haven’t signed yet, I have agreed verbally with Chelsea. It’s really important, this is different to anything anyone has ever done – nobody has made a statement before they have signed a contract.
“Everything is agreed and it will probably go through in the next few hours. I’m here because I care about this club and I felt it was right to answer your questions physically here today before I move on.”
Rosenior quickly emerged as the front-runner following Maresca’s contentious departure from Stamford Bridge last week. However, BlueCo, the investment firm that owns Strasbourg and Chelsea, delayed the transfer because it needed to consider the needs of both teams. Gary O’Neil is one of the candidates Strasbourg is considering for a new manager.
“The last 18 months have been a joy and the best of my professional career,” Rosenior said of his time at Strasbourg. “I have met some incredible people and created some incredible memories and made history. None of that happens without the investment of our ownership and hard work of our president.
“I have had interest from many clubs, including Champions League clubs, which I have always been open with to [our president] Marc [Keller] and our ownership. I will love this club for the rest of my life but I cannot turn down Chelsea.”