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Liam Rosenior says he could not turn down Chelsea but admits unusual situation as a deal has not yet been signed.
Published On 6 Jan 2026
Racing Strasbourg coach Liam Rosenior says he has reached an agreement with Chelsea to become their next manager but has yet to sign a contract with the Premier League club.
“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,” Rosenior said at a news conference on Tuesday.
“Everything is agreed, and it will probably go through in the next few hours,” he said in Strasbourg, France. “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 added that he would take his assistants Kalifa Cisse and Justin Walker with him to the Premier League club.
The 41-year-old, who joined Ligue 1 side Racing Strasbourg in 2024, said his time at the club had been the most rewarding period of his career after spells at Derby County and Hull City.
“The last 18 months have been a joy and the best of my professional career,” Rosenior said. “I have met some incredible people, created incredible memories and made history.”
He said he had been transparent with Strasbourg’s ownership about outside interest.
“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,” Rosenior said. “I will love this club for the rest of my life, but I cannot turn down Chelsea.”
Little-known Rosenior had been widely touted as the front runner to succeed Enzo Maresca since the Italian was sacked on Thursday, not least because Strasbourg and Chelsea are owned by the same consortium, BlueCo.
Rosenior, who has no Premier League coaching experience, will become Chelsea’s fourth permanent boss since BlueCo took control of the Londoners in 2022.
Chelsea has yet to confirm the appointment but held talks with Rosenior in London on Monday.
