Chelsea’s Managerial Search: Rosenior Among Front Runners

Following Chelsea’s decision to part ways with Maresca, the club is now in pursuit of a new manager, with Rosenior emerging as one of the top candidates.

Rosenior, a former Premier League defender, is currently at the helm of Strasbourg, which is notably Chelsea’s sister club. This unique affiliation suggests that negotiations to bring Rosenior to Stamford Bridge could be less complex than for other candidates.

Despite speculation, Rosenior has indicated that there has been no “concrete” communication regarding the position. Following a recent match where Strasbourg drew with Nice, he faced persistent inquiries from a Sky Sports reporter about his potential move to Chelsea.

Rosenior stated, “I don’t know, to be honest. I’ve mentioned this in previous press conferences; life is unpredictable. I cherish my connection with this group and have loved my role from the outset. My stance remains unchanged: there are no solid discussions. My focus is on the team and the club, which is truly magnificent. Whatever happens will happen; I must concentrate on the present. This is a wonderful city with remarkable people and an incredible club. I’ve enjoyed every moment here, and the players have been exceptional. I sincerely want the best for this club.”

He further emphasized his respect for Strasbourg, refusing to discuss the Chelsea opportunity publicly. Previously, he remarked, “There are no guarantees in life. I invest everything into this job and have formed significant relationships with the people here. We’ve built great memories together. While I have received considerable interest from other clubs, I’ve always been transparent with the club. My priority remains the tasks at hand. It wouldn’t be appropriate to claim I will definitely be somewhere or do something.”

On the support from BlueCo, he added, “They have been incredibly supportive in my role here. Their goal is for this club to thrive, just as they wish for Chelsea to succeed.”

Chelsea is set to face Manchester City on Sunday, with Under-21 manager Calum McFarlane taking charge for his first Premier League match against the esteemed Pep Guardiola.

Reflecting on the past 24 hours, McFarlane shared, “It’s been a whirlwind, but a very enjoyable and exciting one. I can only view it positively. The culture at the club is robust, with unwavering support from the first team and the directors. There’s always some academy presence at U21 matches, and the atmosphere remains consistent. We’re united in our purpose. Training today was great, with exceptional energy.

“As for the upcoming match, we are prepared for a significant challenge. Reece [James] has been outstanding, providing leadership to the players and staff as we ready ourselves for Sunday. Ultimately, it’s just a football match. It’s not about me or my debut against Pep; it’s about Chelsea facing City. Both teams are top-tier, and we will compete fiercely. We’ve demonstrated our capability in high-pressure situations this season.

“I feel relatively relaxed about it now. Perhaps nerves will set in as the match approaches.”