Chelsea’s New Coaching Staff Revealed by Liam Rosenior

Chelsea’s new backroom team is beginning to take shape.

On Tuesday morning, Liam Rosenior confirmed that he had agreed to become Chelsea’s next head coach. Confirmation from the club came just hours later.

Rosenior also revealed the names of three members of staff who will be following him from eastern France to Stamford Bridge.

Liam Rosenior names Strasbourg staff who will join him at Chelsea

Rosenior revealed that Kalifa Cisse (pictured above, playing for New England Revolution in 2013) and Justin Walker will join him as part of his coaching staff at Chelsea, while Ben Warner, Strasbourg’s head of analysis, will also make the move to west London.

Speaking at a press conference, Rosenior paid tribute to the staff he has worked with in France and stressed the importance of continuity as he prepares to take on the most demanding role of his career.

“I would not be in this position without my unbelievable staff,” Rosenior said. “I am leaving a lot of really good people behind. What I do know is that a good group of people are coming in.

“I have never met a person with such emotional intelligence as I have with Kalifa [Cisse]. Sadly for Strasbourg he is coming with me.”

The arrival of familiar faces underlines Rosenior’s intention to bring established working relationships with him rather than assembling a new backroom team from scratch.

This reinforces how he will operate as a head coach rather than a traditional manager within Chelsea’s existing structure, as has become increasingly common across the Premier League.

Who is Kalifa Cisse?

Cisse, 41, is a former Mali international who won five senior caps during his playing career.

A versatile centre-back and defensive midfielder, he previously played in England for Reading, Bristol City and Derby County before moving into coaching. Rosenior has repeatedly highlighted Cisse’s man-management skills and emotional intelligence, qualities that appear set to play a central role in his Chelsea setup.

Justin Walker’s long coaching link with Rosenior

Walker, 50, was born in Nottingham and enjoyed a long playing career in the English lower leagues, representing clubs including Scunthorpe United, Lincoln City, Exeter City, Cambridge United, York City, Chester City, Ilkeston Town and FC Halifax Town.

After retiring, Walker moved into coaching and spent a significant period working at Derby County before following Rosenior to Hull City in 2022. He then joined him again at Strasbourg in 2024, establishing himself as a trusted and consistent presence within Rosenior’s coaching team.

Ben Warner to join Chelsea analysis department

Ben Warner will also depart Strasbourg to join Chelsea as part of Rosenior’s staff, continuing his role as head of analysis.

Warner worked closely with Rosenior in France on tactical preparation, opposition scouting and performance data, and his arrival suggests Rosenior will look to integrate familiar analytical methods into Chelsea’s existing setup, rather than pursue a complete overhaul.

The Blues visit Fulham on Wednesday night. Rosenior will not be in charge for that game. Instead, caretaker Calum McFarlane, who oversaw a 1-1 draw at Manchester City at the weekend, will remain in the dugout.

However, Rosenior and his trusted backroom team will be in full control when Chelsea take on Charlton in the FA Cup on Saturday.