By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
@ChelseaFC.
Chelsea have officially appointed Liam Rosenior as their new head coach on a 5½-year contract, the club said earlier in a statement.
Rosenior becomes the fourth full-time head coach appointed since a takeover of the club led by American Todd Boehly in 2022.
“Chelsea Football Club is delighted to announce the appointment of Liam Rosenior as head coach of the men’s team.”
Chelsea were third in the standings in November and being tipped as title contenders but have since slipped to fifth and are 17 points behind leaders Arsenal after 20 matches.
He said: “I am extremely humbled and honoured to be appointed head coach of Chelsea Football Club. This is a club with a unique spirit and a proud history of winning trophies.”
Rosenior will take charge of Saturday’s FA Cup third-round tie at Championship side Charlton Athletic.
He had confirmed his imminent move to Stamford Bridge at a Strasbourg press conference on Tuesday morning – and said he was “ready” for the job.
The ex-Hull boss said: “I was given permission to speak to one of the biggest clubs in the world.
“It was an honour to be associated with a club like that and, now, it looks like I will be the next manager of that football club,” the 41-year-old said.
Rosenior played for Bristol City, Fulham, Reading, Hull City and Brighton during a 16-year playing career.
After hanging up his boots in 2018, Rosenior almost guided Hull to the Championship play-offs in 2024 and then became head coach of Strasbourg, who are owned by Chelsea’s parent company BlueCo.