Furious supporters of French club RC Strasbourg have branded the departure of head coach Liam Rosenior to Chelsea as a "humiliating" act of "subservience," threatening further protests against the club's ownership.
A 'Humiliating Step' in Fan Rebellion
The move, confirmed this week, has poured fuel on the long-simmering discontent among the Alsace club's fanbase regarding its place within the BlueCo multi-club network. BlueCo, the consortium that owns Chelsea, purchased Strasbourg for €75 million in June 2023 and appointed Rosenior in July 2024.
Despite leading a youthful squad to a commendable seventh-place finish last season and earning a new three-year contract in April 2025, Rosenior's exit after a run of five Ligue 1 games without a win has been seen as definitive proof of the club's feeder status.
The Federation of RC Strasbourg Supporters Club stated on X: "The transfer of Liam Rosenior marks another humiliating step in Racing's subservience to Chelsea. For two and a half years, along with others, we have been trying to raise the alarm about this." They warned the issue was "structural" and that the future of French club football was at stake.
Protests and Structural Tensions
Ultras groups, who already boycott the first fifteen minutes of every home match in protest, are now coordinating with other fan associations to plan their next steps, with the upcoming Eastern derby against Metz on January 18 poised for heightened tensions.
Their anger is directed not only at BlueCo but also at club president Marc Keller, with the supporters' federation stating his continued leadership is "an insult" to the club's pre-2023 legacy. Former Everton defender David Weir, now Strasbourg's sporting director, must find a replacement, with ex-Bournemouth boss Gary O'Neil among the candidates.
The Wider Context of Multi-Club Ownership
Strasbourg's situation highlights the growing friction around multi-club ownership in European football. The club insists BlueCo's backing provides financial security and access to top young talent like Chelsea loanees Mike Penders and Kendry Paez, having topped their UEFA Conference League group this season.
However, fans point to the pre-agreed transfer of striker Emmanuel Emegha to Chelsea next summer as further evidence of their diminished standing. Strasbourg is one of 10 Ligue 1 clubs now part of such multi-club structures, a list that includes Troyes (linked to Manchester City) and Toulouse (linked to AC Milan).
This controversy unfolds as French football navigates a new era with a direct-to-consumer streaming service, following the collapse of its major TV deal. While ownership groups promise stability, the Rosenior saga demonstrates that for passionate fanbases, the cost to sporting integrity and identity can feel far too high.
