Liam Rosenior has officially begun his tenure as Chelsea's new head coach, outlining the key influences on his football philosophy during his first interview since his appointment.
Rosenior's coaching inspirations revealed
The 41-year-old was confirmed as the successor to Enzo Maresca at Stamford Bridge less than a week after the Italian's sudden departure on New Year's Day. Rosenior, who has signed a contract running until 2031 with an option for a further year, faces the most significant challenge of his managerial career to date.
In a confident discussion with the club's official media on Wednesday, Rosenior was quick to pay tribute to the figures who shaped his approach. His father, Leroy Rosenior, was the first name he mentioned. "Well, he would kill me if I didn't say my dad!" Rosenior joked. He highlighted his father's promotion-winning spell at Torquay United in the late 1990s, playing a style that left a lasting impression.
Rodgers and Hughton's profound impact
Rosenior also credited two other managers for their profound impact on his career. He pointed to former Liverpool and Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers, who worked at Chelsea's academy, for reshaping his thinking during his playing days at Reading.
The new Blues boss also reserved praise for Chris Hughton, under whom he played during the final years of his career at Brighton & Hove Albion between 2015 and 2018. Rosenior emphasised Hughton's humility as a key lesson, stating that top-level coaching is as much about understanding people as it is about tactics.
A message of belief for Chelsea supporters
With Chelsea returning to the Champions League and carrying high expectations following last summer's Club World Cup win, Rosenior acknowledged the pressure but issued a rallying cry. His direct message to the supporters was simple: "Believe. Believe in what's an amazing football club."
He elaborated on the symbiotic relationship between the team and the Stamford Bridge faithful, arguing that the energy from the stands directly translates to results on the pitch. "That’s why I'm here," he affirmed. "We're here to win and I really, really need the fans to help us achieve that."
Rosenior's first match in charge will be this Saturday's FA Cup third-round tie against Charlton Athletic. In the meantime, caretaker manager Calum MacFarlane, who oversaw a creditable draw at Manchester City, will lead the team for Wednesday's West London derby against Fulham.
