Former Bristol City and Fulham winger Liam Rosenior has landed in London and is very close to being officially appointed as Chelsea’s manager, hours after he kept the cards close to his chest and refused
to fuel any fire, even as rumours around his appointment keep looming large.
Earlier reports suggest Strasbourg’s Rosenior is the frontrunner to succeed Enzo Maresca, who has departed Stamford Bridge.
Discussions to appoint Rosenior are advanced, according to reports, with the 41-year-old in London to finalise formalities ahead of being named Maresca’s successor.
BlueCo, the investment group that bought Chelsea four years ago, has begun searching for candidates to succeed Rosenior at sister club Strasbourg.
Chelsea caretaker manager Calum McFarlane says that there is ‘a chance’ the club could appoint a new manager by Monday.
Under-21s coach McFarlane took charge after Maresca left Chelsea after disagreements with the club’s leadership.
McFarlane’s Chelsea earned a 1-1 draw at title-chasers Manchester City on Sunday, January 4, with midfielder Enzo Fernandez netting a late equaliser.
“When I first took the job, I was told I would take the Manchester City game. So that was three days with the group. There is a chance the new manager will be in on Monday, that is what I was told originally,” McFarlane said after the game.
“Obviously, it is Sunday now. We have been solely focused on the game. I am sure I will get more information once I am out of this press conference. But as far as I know, the new manager will be in shortly and I will lead the team until he is in,” McFarlane added.
Rosenior oversaw Strasbourg’s 1-1 draw at Nice on Saturday, January 3 and was later spotted at Strasbourg airport on Sunday by French football outlet L’Equipe, sitting alongside the club’s sporting director David Weir.
The appointment is complicated by Strasbourg, also owned by the same American group as Chelsea, requiring a replacement while discussions continue with several candidates.
