Rooney backs Liam Rosenior as Chelsea's likely new manager

Goal says Wayne Rooney has strongly endorsed Liam Rosenior as Chelsea's likely new manager after Enzo Maresca's New Year's Day departure, citing his experience working with Rosenior during an 18-month spell at Derby County in 2021 and 2022.

Rooney recalled that Rosenior was promoted from first-team coach to his assistant at Derby and described him as "as good a coach as I've ever worked with," praising his coaching detail and day-to-day approach and saying he learned a lot from him. The source also notes Rosenior's previous roles at Hull City, where he was sacked amid a difference in football philosophy with the owner despite near play-off success in 2023-24, and his work at Strasbourg, whom he replaced Patrick Vieira at in summer 2024 and took to seventh in Ligue 1 and European qualification.

It "feels only a matter of time" before Rosenior is unveiled at Stamford Bridge, but timing remains uncertain: time is running out for him to be in place for Chelsea's Premier League derby with Fulham on Wednesday night, which points to Under-21 boss Calum McFarlane continuing, though it is feasible Rosenior could be appointed in time for the FA Cup third-round tie against Charlton Athletic on Saturday and then the Catabao Cup semi-final first leg against Arsenal a few days later.

Key Topics

Sports, Liam Rosenior, Wayne Rooney, Chelsea, Enzo Maresca, Strasbourg