Chelsea FC is progressing towards appointing Liam Rosenior as their new head coach following his arrival in London on Sunday, according to sources familiar with the situation. The 41-year-old coach, who recently managed Strasbourg, is expected to enter discussions with the club, with Chelsea identifying him as their preferred candidate for the position.
Rosenior’s connections with Strasbourg, which shares ownership with Chelsea under BlueCo, are anticipated to facilitate a smoother transition. He traveled to London accompanied by Marc Keller, president of Strasbourg, and sporting director David Weir. While a deal has not yet been finalized, there is growing optimism that negotiations could advance swiftly, potentially leading to an official announcement in the coming days, possibly before Chelsea’s match against Manchester City on Thursday.
In the interim, Chelsea’s under-21s manager Calum McFarlane has been tasked with leading the team for the upcoming match. Following Chelsea’s recent clash at the Etihad Stadium, which ended in a dramatic draw with a last-minute equalizer from Manchester City, McFarlane addressed the media. He stated, “We’re training tomorrow. Unless I’m told otherwise this evening, I’ll be taking that session.”
McFarlane confirmed his focus on the immediate challenge, emphasizing, “When I first took the job, I was told I would take the Manchester City game.” He acknowledged the possibility of Rosenior joining the team imminently, saying, “There’s a chance that the new manager would be in on Monday, that’s what I was told originally.”
The match against Manchester City was particularly challenging for Chelsea, who faced adversities such as the absence of key players due to illness. McFarlane praised the resilience of the squad, noting, “One-nil down at the Etihad, interim manager, players falling ill… for them to regroup and execute it speaks volumes about the characters we have at this club.”
Despite the turbulent circumstances, including the loss of a defender to a virus and a goalkeeper with a muscular injury, McFarlane commended the team’s performance. He expressed pride in the younger players’ ability to cope with pressure, stating, “Young players in those moments may crumble, but I thought they were exceptional.”
As Chelsea prepares for this pivotal moment in their coaching strategy, all eyes will be on the potential arrival of Rosenior and how he may influence the team’s future.
