Gary O’Neil is set to take over as the new head coach of Strasbourg, replacing Liam Rosenior who has moved on to manage Chelsea. The Ligue 1 club has reached a deal in principle with O’Neil, according to a report by The Telegraph. This marks a significant step for O’Neil as he resumes his managerial career in France.
Rosenior’s departure follows an impressive 18-month tenure at the Stade de la Meinau, where he led Strasbourg to a remarkable seventh-place finish in Ligue 1. Under his guidance, the team narrowly missed out on Champions League qualification on the final day of the season but secured a spot in the UEFA Conference League. This achievement marked their first European competition since 2017.
O’Neil has been on a sabbatical since being dismissed by Wolverhampton Wanderers in December 2024. His previous experience includes leading Bournemouth to Premier League survival in the 2022/23 season. At 42 years old, he is eager to resume his managerial duties and is finalizing the details of his contract with Strasbourg.
O’Neil’s Challenges and Opportunities
Stepping into Rosenior’s role, O’Neil will face the challenge of maintaining the momentum established at Strasbourg. The club has a strong focus on developing young talent, evidenced by recent player sales such as Dilane Bakwa to Nottingham Forest and Habib Diarra to Sunderland for a combined total of £30 million. This strategy of nurturing academy stars aims to generate significant transfer fees in the future.
In a notable fixture against Metz in August, Strasbourg made history as the first team in Europe’s top five leagues to field a complete lineup of players born in 2000 or later. This commitment to youth development aligns with O’Neil’s task of furthering the club’s growth while pursuing European qualification once again.
The current season has seen Strasbourg finish in seventh place in Ligue 1, although they have struggled recently, with only one win in their last seven league matches. O’Neil’s immediate goal will be to lift the spirits of the squad and reinvigorate their performance on the pitch.
Familiar Faces Await O’Neil
Upon joining Strasbourg, O’Neil will encounter several familiar players, including former Brighton teammates Julio Enciso and Valentin Barco, as well as ex-Chelsea full-back Ben Chilwell. Additionally, Chelsea prospects such as Mike Penders, Kendry Paez, and Mamadou Sarr will also be part of the squad available to him.
As O’Neil prepares for his new role, the expectations are high, and the club’s management will be counting on his experience to guide Strasbourg back to European competition. The finalization of his contract is anticipated shortly, paving the way for his official appointment and the start of a new chapter in his coaching career.
