Chelsea Football Club is moving closer to appointing Liam Rosenior as their new head coach following his arrival in London on March 3, 2024. Sources indicate that Chelsea views Rosenior, who recently led Strasbourg in a match, as their preferred candidate for the managerial position. Discussions about his potential appointment are expected to accelerate in the coming days.
Rosenior took charge of Strasbourg’s match on March 2, where he confirmed post-game that he had not yet held talks with Chelsea. Nonetheless, the club’s ownership structure, under BlueCo, which also owns Strasbourg, is anticipated to facilitate a smooth transition. Accompanying Rosenior on his flight to London were Marc Keller, president of Strasbourg, and David Weir, the club’s sporting director.
While a formal agreement has not yet been reached, the expectation is that developments will proceed rapidly. A formal announcement regarding his appointment could be made before Chelsea’s next match on March 7 against Manchester City. In the interim, under-21s manager Calum McFarlane has been tasked with overseeing the team.
The match against Manchester City, held at Etihad Stadium, ended in a dramatic draw, with Chelsea’s first-half lead cancelled out by a 94th-minute equaliser from City. Following the game, McFarlane expressed his commitment to leading the squad until a new manager is officially in place. “We’re training tomorrow,” he stated. “Unless I’m told otherwise this evening, I’ll be taking that session.”
McFarlane acknowledged the challenges faced by the team in recent days, particularly the unexpected illnesses affecting key players. He praised the resilience of the squad, stating, “One-nil down at the Etihad, interim manager, players falling ill on the day of the game… for them to regroup and execute it speaks volumes about the characters we have at this club.”
As Chelsea navigates this transitional phase, the focus remains on securing a new head coach and stabilizing the team ahead of crucial fixtures. The anticipation surrounding Rosenior’s appointment reflects the club’s commitment to revitalizing its performance on the field.
