Chelsea picks inexperienced Rosenior to succeed Maresca

Liam Rosenior was confirmed on Tuesday as Chelsea's new head coach on a six-and-a-half-year deal, saying the opportunity to succeed Enzo Maresca at Stamford Bridge was too good to turn down.

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I am extremely humbled and honoured to be appointed head coach of Chelsea Football Club,’ says Rosenior. — AFP FILE

(AFP FILE)

The 41-year-old Strasbourg boss told a press conference earlier in the day at the Ligue 1 club that he had “verbally agreed” on the move.

Chelsea officially announced that Rosenior, who will take charge of his first match in the FA Cup at the weekend, had signed a deal until 2032.

“I am extremely humbled and honoured to be appointed head coach of Chelsea Football Club,” he said in a statement on the Premier League team’s website. “This is a club with a unique spirit and a proud history of winning trophies.

“My job is to protect that identity and create a team that reflects these values in every game we play as we continue winning trophies.”

Rosenior has just three years' experience as a manager, with Hull City and French club Strasbourg, and has never coached in the Premier League. But he had been widely touted as the frontrunner to succeed Maresca since the Italian left Chelsea last week.