‘It means the world to me’ – Chelsea appoint Rosenior

The 41-year-old Englishman replaces Enzo Maresca, who left on January 1st, with a five-and-a-half-year deal with the option to extend it for a further season.

Rosenior will take charge of his first training session on Thursday before Chelsea’s FA Cup third-round encounter with Charlton Athletic at Craven Cottage on Wednesday when Chelsea take on Fulham in the Premier League.

Rosenior praised his appointment as the head coach of Chelsea Football Club as “a truly humble and honor.”

“I want to be given this position because it is so important to me, and I want to thank everyone who has given me the chance and faith to do so.” I’ll do everything possible to give this club the success it deserves.

Calum McFarlane, the interim Chelsea boss, said he spoke with Rosenior for a while before leaving on Monday night.

Because he is a very accomplished coach, McFarlane said, “I wouldn’t be giving him any advice.”

“I’m here to support him, but I won’t give any advice to him.”

Rosenior confirmed earlier on Tuesday that he and Chelsea “agreed verbally” during his final press conference as Strasbourg manager.

Rosenior said, “I can’t turn down this opportunity to play for an incredible club, incredible squad that has won the Club World Cup.”

The multi-club ownership group BlueCo, which also controls Chelsea, is made up of Strasbourg and Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital.

Strasbourg appointed Rosenior in July 2024, helping the French club reach seventh in the Ligue 1 last year, ensuring European football for the first time in eight years.

His fifth league game without a win came on Saturday, when they were held to a 1-1 draw at Nice.

They are the top of the Conference League and seventh in Ligue 1.

Rosenior remarked, “The last 18 months have been the best and most enjoyable times in my professional career.”

I’m here because I care about [Strasbourg], and I thought it was appropriate to respond to your questions in person before moving on.

“I will adore this club my entire life,” the statement read.

Rosenior, a former defender for Fulham and Hull City, has never been a Premier League player.

If I wasn’t prepared, he said, “I wouldn’t have accepted the job at Chelsea.”

You can’t turn down clubs, they say. I sincerely hope Strasbourg supporters will notice and be proud of it.

“I’ve had inquiries from numerous clubs, including Champions League clubs, with whom I’ve always had a relationship with [Strasbourg president] Marc [Keller] and our ownership,” said one club.

In a news conference, an outgoing manager might not normally explain their departure, but Rosenior did just that on Tuesday morning.

Rosenior flew to London to meet Chelsea’s new manager, where he said goodbye in Strasbourg and France.

He appeared frail and allowed the local reporters to ask difficult questions during a remarkable news conference at Stade de la Meinau, the stadium he has called home for 18 months.

He described his favorite moments in a heartfelt manner and said he wanted to explain why he had left in the middle of the season.

The fact that both clubs are owned by BlueCo could become a source of friction if things don’t go well makes things work out.