Chelsea, the triumphant of the Premier League, announced on Tuesday that Liam Rosenior would succeed Enzo Maresca as head coach of Strasbourg.
The Englishman, who has a contract until 2032, described himself as “extremely humbled and honored to be appointed” in a club statement.
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On March 28, 2025, former Strasbourg English Head coach Liam Rosenior walks on the field before the French L1 football match between RC Strasbourg Alsace and Olympique Lyonnais (OL) at the Stade de la Meinau in Strasbourg, eastern France. SEBASTIEN BOZON/AFP
He continued, “This club has a special spirit and a long history of winning trophies.” In order to keep winning trophies, my job is to preserve that identity and build a team that embodies these values in every game we compete against.
Rosenior, 41, stated earlier on Tuesday that Chelsea was “an opportunity I cannot turn down.”
Ademola Lookman, the Super Eagles’ forward, downplayed the incident, which occurred during Nigeria’s 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), claiming it was just about “football” and wasn’t anything personal.  ,
No, I have not yet seen him, according to [Osimhen]. Nothing occurred. Simply put, the pitch was a discussion. After the game, the Atalanta man who scored twice as the Super Eagles defeated the Mambas 4-0 declared, “That’s it.”
“It’s just football,” he said. Football always plays. Lookman, the 2024 African Player of the Year winner, declared to reporters in Fez that he is “my brother.
During the Round of 16 match on Monday, the Galatasaray man and Lookman exchanged words.
Read more about the Super Eagles’ 4-0 victory over Mozambique in the AFCON quarterfinals.
Even though the three-time African champions were already 3-0 up, Osimhen was furious that Lookman had not given the ball to him despite being better positioned to score.
Osimhen was reportedly remarked to his Lookman, who had given him an assist during the game, that “it is a team game.”
After the final whistle, Osimhen was later subdued and plunged into the tunnel, raising questions about how he and other players were connected.
Many fans have criticized the 27-year-old’s reaction to the Mozambique match, which has continued to elicit debate about his relationship with his teammates.
The Super Eagles ate the Mambas while Osimhen scored twice, Lookman received one, and the Super Eagles recorded their biggest win of the 2025 AFCON.
Lookman received the man of the match award, his second of the season, deservedly.
He is already in the lead in the tournament in terms of goals and assists. The winger has so far in three games scored three goals and added four assists.
Algeria or the Democratic Republic of Congo will host Nigeria’s next AFCON match. On Tuesday, the two teams will meet to discuss a spot in the quarter-finals.
The Super Eagles’ participation in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) will not be affected by Victor Osimhen’s feud with Ademola Lookman, according to Toyin Ibitoye, a former team media officer.
In the second half of Nigeria’s 4-0 victory over Mozambique in the final 16 tie at the AFCON on Monday, Osimhen confronted Lookman.  ,
The Atalanta winger was criticized for not passing the ball to him in a promising area as Galatasaray’s man and 2023 African Player of the Year. At the end of the tunnel, Osimhen demanded that he be subbed right away and hurried into the tunnel.  ,
Ibitoye, however, claims that the team’s officials will handle the situation without incident.  ,
Read more about the Super Eagles’ 4-0 victory over Mozambique and their AFCON quarterfinals here.
Because this is a tournament setting, “we will handle the situation.” Nothing could obstruct the team’s built-in rhythm.  ,
They understand him, so I’m certain that the problem has been resolved. According to Ibitoye, this is not the first time this tournament is taking place.  ,
You can recall the first game when he and the assistant referee exchanged words and said, “Now I’ve scored a good goal, let’s see if you can disallow this.” You can also recall him conversing with the Tunisian bench and other things. However, Victor for you.
“That situation needs to be better managed, but it will be resolved.” They’ll probably laugh at it because I know these boys very well.
A tale of two peoples’ relationship crumbled between Lookman and Osimhen. They initially appeared to be a heaven-made partnership, torn apart the Mozambican defense.  ,
Lookman provided the assist for the opening goal for Nigeria. In the wet pitch, Osimhen and the winger slid together, beaming with joy. Many teams would envious of the chemistry there.  ,
The forward pair, however, bucked with themselves moments later. Lookman yelled at him incredulously because he hadn’t given him a pass, so Obsimhen became furious.  ,
Osimhen left the team right away after the match and snubbed the post-game media appearances despite being subbed off.  ,
Football fans and analysts expressed concern about the development. However, Ibitoye claims that the Super Eagles frequently engage in self-indulgence.  ,
Chukwueze and Bassey are known for carrying over what transpired at Fulham when Bassey was unable to pass the ball and instead ballooned it, and Chukwueze said, “You ballooned it like an amateur player,” he said.  ,
According to Liam Rosenior, who will take over as Chelsea’s new manager, he “verbally agreed” on Tuesday, adding that this was an opportunity I could not refuse.
At a press conference held at his current club, Ligue 1, Strasbourg, the Englishman said, “It appears that I will be the next manager of that football club (Chelsea).
Since Enzo Maresca was fired on Thursday, Little-Known Rosenior, 41, had been widely touted as the front-runner, not least of which because Strasbourg and Chelsea are both owned by the same consortium, BlueCo.
The former Hull City manager, who has no prior experience with the Premier League, will become Chelsea’s fourth permanent head since BlueCo took over the Londoners in 2022.
Chelsea and Rosenior spoke in London on Monday, but the appointment has not yet been confirmed.
Rosenior claimed that because of his deep feelings for the club, he had wanted to make the announcement himself in Strasbourg.
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On November 2, 2025, at the Roazhon Park stadium in Rennes, western France, Stade Rennais FC and RC Strasbourg Alsace’s British head coach Liam Rosenior reacts. AFP/JEAN-FRANCOIS MONIER
He said, “Everything has been agreed upon, and it’s likely to pass within a few hours.”
“I’m here because I care about this club, and I thought it was appropriate to respond to your questions in person today before I leave.”
In west London, Rosenior has never been subjected to the media’s gaze like that.
Rosenior began his senior coaching career at Derby County in 2019, first under Phillip Cocu and then as Wayne Rooney’s assistant, after a brief spell in charge of Brighton’s under-23s.
In 2022, Rosenior briefly assumed the role of interim manager for Hull City in the Championship, and in that year he took over.
He was fired after just over 18 months in charge, and Strasbourg appointed him in July 2024, helping them to seventh place last season.
The AFCON 2025 quarter-finals feature Nigeria’s Super Eagles. They ate the Mambas of Mozambique in extravagant fashion.
Nigeria are the first nation to have won the continental showpiece with a 4-0 victory.
Read more about the Super Eagles’ 4-0 victory over Mozambique in the AFCON quarterfinals.
The Super Eagles advanced to the quarter-finals with a brace from Victor Osimhen’s brace, and one from Ademola Lookman and Akor Adams.
Four wins out of four were kept by Eric Chelle’s men while also keeping a clean sheet.
Five Things to Learn From Nigeria vs. Mozambique
Five crucial observations from Nigeria’s conflict with Mozambique’s Mambas are presented.
Osimhen and Lookman Shine are in charge of Nigeria.
On January 5, 2026, Nigeria’s forward #9 Victor Osimhen (R) and Nigeria’s forward #07 Ademola Lookman celebrate the team’s third goal in a game between Nigeria and Mozambique at the Sports Complex stadium in Fes. (Sebastien Bozon/AFP photo)
Osimhen and Lookman were expected to lead the Super Eagles’ campaign for the continental crown prior to the AFCON.
The players, who were the African Player of the Year winners in 2023 and 2024, are now leading Nigeria’s quest for a fourth AFCON trophy.
Both scored three goals on Tuesday to advance to the last four for Nigeria. Similar to Lookman, Osimhen has now scored three goals in the competition. However, he is currently in contention for the player of the competition prize with four assists.
Lookman was a constant presence throughout every attack attempt. The Mozambicans had to deal with the Atalanta man’s trickery and pace on the night in Fez.
Iwobi’s pivotal role
On January 5, 2026, Nigeria’s forward No. 17 Alex Iwobi and No. 10 Geny Catamo, a midfielder from Mozambique, compete for the ball in the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) round of 16 football game between Nigeria and Mozambique at the Sports Complex stadium in Fes. (Sebastien Bozon/AFP photo)
But despite all of their goals and assists, Alex Iwobi was in the middle of the field dictating play with his precise passes. This AFCON, the Fulham man, who has received a lot of criticism for his Super Eagles performances, is blazing. His pre-assistants were key in enabling Nigeria to fly first in Morocco. The former Arsenal player demonstrated his talent as one of Nigeria’s top creators.
Iwobi has been able to dictate play almost comfortably with the help of Frank Onyeka, who has been a key player in midfield and who effectively collaborates with the front men while defending when necessary.
As the Super Eagles fight for another title, he should keep doing that.
A first AFCON 2025 clean sheet
On January 5, 2026, Nigeria’s forwards #13 Stanley Ratifo and #21 Calvin Bassey’s defender #21 Calvin Bassey battle for the ball during the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) round of 16 football match at the Sports Complex stadium in Fes. (Sebastien Bozon/AFP photo)
The Super Eagles have found the net 12 times in four games, which is the highest total in the competition so far, and Iwobi’s creativity may have been key to Nigeria’s success at the AFCON. Despite all of their goals, however, concerns over the defensive setup have grown more acute, especially since the team conceded in all group games, most recently allowing two goals against Tunisia despite taking a 3-0 lead.
The three-time African champions, however, kept a clean sheet in a game where Stanley Nwabali was hardly tested for the first time in the 2025 AFCON.
When called upon, Calvin Baseey resembled a brick wall for Nigeria, despite rarely having to deal with issues with his defense. He and Samuel Ajayi displayed a level of self-assurance and calmness typical of Italian antiquarian defense. Throughout the entire contest, they were able to stop Mozambique from scoring.
Ako Adams deserves a reward.
On January 5, 2026, Nigeria’s #22 Akor Adams celebrates scoring the team’s fourth goal at the Sports Complex stadium in Fes during the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) round of 16 football match between Nigeria and Mozambique. (Photo by Abdel Majid BZIOUAT/AFP)
Akor Adams was the only player who, aside from keeping a clean sheet, had a star-studded performance against the Mambas. The diligent Sevillan man scored Nigeria’s fourth goal in the contest as a reward for his quickness, consistency, and versatility, which he used to terrorize the Southern Africans.
An Alternate on the Pitch
On January 5, 2026, Nigeria’s forward #9 Victor Osimhen leaves the field after being substituted off by its head coach, Eric Chelle, in the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) round of 16 football match between Nigeria and Mozambique at the Sports Complex stadium in Fes. (Sebastien Bozon/AFP photo)
Although the victory was assured, an Osimhen-Lookman altercation off-field threatened to end the team’s reputation. When the Super Eagles were already 3-0 up, the Galatasaray forward was caught speaking with his teammate.
At the last whistle, Osimhen was later subbed and plunged into the tunnel. However, Lookman claims that his teammate has no issues.
What Will Nigeria Do Next?  ,
On January 5, 2026, Nigeria’s players celebrate their victory at the Sports Complex stadium in Fes following the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) round of 16 football match between Nigeria and Mozambique. (Sebastien Bozon/AFP photo)
The Super Eagles are eager to know the winner of the Algeria-DR Congo game now that it is over.
Nigeria will be hoping to avenge their AFCON semifinal defeat if Algeria is defeated by Riyad Mahrez in the 95th minute.
The three-time champions would be aiming to win back their pride after defeating them in the World Cup play-off final.
At the Africa Cup of Nations on Monday, Nigeria cruised into the quarter-finals with a comprehensive 4-0 victory over Mozambique with Victor Osimhen’s double.
Read more about Super Eagles’ victory over Tunisia in the 2016 AFCON round.
After 20 minutes in Fes, Ademola Lookman, a former African Footballer of the Year award, opened the scoring before helping to score the other three goals.
Before scoring Nigeria’s second goal in 25 minutes, Osimhen had started the game without his signature mask.
Before Akor Adams’ signature victory, he then scored again just before half-time.
Since Egypt hammered Algeria 4-0 in the semi-finals of the 2010 tournament in Angola, it is the biggest winning margin in an AFCON knockout tie.
The Super Eagles will go to a last-eight tie against Algeria and the Democratic Republic of Congo on Saturday in Marrakech, determined to make up for their lack of World Cup eligibility.
A victory over the Leopards in a World Cup qualifying play-off on Tuesday would give Nigeria a chance to reclaim their defeat on penalties against the Leopards in a game that they will face in the last 16.
After advancing as one of the best third-placed teams in the group stage, Mozambique made its debut in the knockout phase of an AFCON.
They could not compete with a Nigerian team that had drastically changed since their final group game when coach Eric Chelle gave them a chance to play a few unproven players in a 3-1 victory over Uganda.
Lookman, one of the Atalanta forwards who scored in the second group game to defeat Tunisia, was brought back into the starting lineup. As the halfway point of the first half approached, Africa’s best player in 2024 gave his side the lead.
Adams was released on the left side of the box by Alex Iwobi’s through ball, and Lookman first converted his cutback.
The 28-year-old then turned provider, scoring from close range from close range with Adams’ assist in the 25th minute.
The Galatasaray striker quickly recovered from a challenge with Witi, which resulted in Osimhen being kneed in the stomach.
Osimhen’s low ball, which Lookman had earlier sent across the left-facing goal, was blocked in the 47th minute, putting an end to any hope of a Mozambique comeback.
Before scoring against Tunisia in the group stage, the 2023 African player of the year had lost seven of his AFCON matches without scoring. He now has three at the Moroccan championship.
With a quarter of an hour left, Lookman was not finished for the night, as he had already stuffed Adams inside the box and fired a high shot into the net.
