Liam Rosenior is set to make his debut as Chelsea manager in their upcoming FA Cup fixture against Charlton Athletic.
Rosenior aspires to emulate the “brave” approach of Sir Alex Ferguson, aiming to nurture the young Chelsea squad into a unit akin to Manchester United‘s celebrated Class of ’92.
The 41-year-old’s appointment as the Blues’ head coach follows Enzo Maresca’s departure on New Year’s Day.
Maresca had previously voiced concerns about pressure to favor certain players and the difficulties of achieving consistent success with the Premier League’s youngest squad, whose starting lineups have averaged 24 years and 198 days this season.
Rosenior, however, is keen to embrace the challenge of developing the promising young talent at his disposal, drawing inspiration from Ferguson’s successful tenure at Old Trafford.
“I was a Manchester United fan and I am now massively a Chelsea fan,” Rosenior stated.
“I remember Sir Alex Ferguson was brave enough to put six or seven players aged between 19 and 21 into a title-winning team because he believed in them.
“They grew and won trophy after trophy. It was an amazing period in that club’s history. Without that bravery, it doesn’t happen. There is potential for that here.”
The Class of ’92, featuring iconic players such as Ryan Giggs, David Beckham, Paul Scholes, Nicky Butt, and Phil and Gary Neville, rose through Manchester United’s youth system to achieve considerable success under Ferguson’s guidance.
“Speak about Moises Caicedo or Enzo Fernandez or Cole Palmer or Reece James – world-class players and still very, very young,” Rosenior added.
“That is the ultimate ambition for this club – to create that again.”
Chelsea‘s decision to appoint Rosenior follows his 18-month tenure at Strasbourg, a club sharing ownership with Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital.
Last season, Strasbourg boasted the youngest squad in Europe’s top five leagues, with an average age of 21 years and 171 days, ultimately securing a seventh-place finish and European qualification for the first time in eight years.
“If you watched the Strasbourg team I coached, everyone enjoyed watching them because they played with intensity,” said Rosenior. “Why? Because they were young, fit, less prone to injury. I’m going to work really hard to create that here.
“I have to train the players right, work with the medical team and look after them because they have outstanding careers ahead. But that doesn’t stop you being successful now. If I thought it was impossible to win with this group, I wouldn’t have come.”
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Rosenior observed from the stands as Chelsea suffered a 2-1 defeat against Fulham on Wednesday, leaving the Blues in eighth place with only one victory in their last nine Premier League games.
The game was marked by chants against the ownership and a banner displaying ‘BlueCo out’. Shortly after Rosenior’s appointment was announced, the Chelsea Supporters’ Trust released a critical survey aimed at the club’s leadership, rather than the incoming head coach.
The survey revealed that over half of the respondents doubted Chelsea‘s ability to achieve success within the next three to five years under the current ownership, with a similar proportion expressing a lack of confidence in the ownership’s decision-making.
Chelsea‘s strategy of building around young players on long-term contracts, overseen by a team of five sporting directors—Paul Winstanley, Laurence Stewart, Sam Jewell, Dave Fallows, and Joe Shields—alongside influential owner Behdad Eghbali, has faced increasing scrutiny.
Maresca’s unexpected departure mid-season necessitated a managerial change that the club had not planned to implement until the end of the season.
However, Rosenior has expressed confidence in the club’s approach, having operated within a similar structure at Strasbourg.
“I have a very good professional relationship with the guys,” he said. “I understand what they want, where they want to get to and how they want to get there. That helps me deliver what they want. That’s why I’m here. I believe we can be successful. It’s not just about me – and we’ll see in time if that’s proven right.
“The project is about winning. It’s about winning games and delivering trophies for Chelsea.”
When asked about his influence on transfer decisions, Rosenior stated: “I did not get one player brought in who I did not want at Strasbourg – not one. These guys have been magnificent for me. The process is how it should be at every club.”
The former Fulham full-back, who was born in west London, aims to cultivate a positive environment despite the recent tensions surrounding the club.
“Being a head coach, you talk about systems and tactics – that’s 10% of the job,'” he said. “The job is to create spirit, energy and a culture.”
Rosenior’s managerial experience includes stints at Derby County and Hull City before his move to Strasbourg in July 2024. He is yet to secure a major trophy in his managerial career.
In contrast, Chelsea‘s previous managers, such as Jose Mourinho, Carlo Ancelotti, Thomas Tuchel, and Antonio Conte, arrived at the club with impressive trophy hauls.
When questioned about whether his appointment was underwhelming compared to those high-profile names, Rosenior responded: “Everybody starts somewhere. There’s a great quote from Mourinho – one of my heroes.
“He said it took him 20 years to become an overnight success. It’s the same for anyone. You’re not a name until you become a name.”
Addressing the supporters, he stated: “Judge what you see, not what you hear. Judge what you see on the pitch. Don’t judge my press conferences – I don’t win any games here. Give me, my staff and my players the chance to prove we are worthy. Judge us and be fair.
“If the performances aren’t good enough, I’ll be the first to say it. I’m the most accountable person for our performances – but give us the chance.”
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