Wayne Rooney Explains Why Liam Rosenior Would Do a “Great Job” at Chelsea

Liam Rosenior has what it takes to do a “great job” in charge of Chelsea, according to Wayne Rooney.

Rosenior is the heavy favourite to replace Enzo Maresca at Stamford Bridge this week.

Maresca had a decent record as Chelsea manager — having delivered two trophies and a win percentage of 59.78% — but he left the club on New Year’s Day amid tension behind the scenes.

Rosenior is currently in charge of Strasbourg — the Ligue 1 club that is part of Chelsea’s multi-team BlueCo ownership model.

Wayne Rooney tips Liam Rosenior for Chelsea success

While Rosenior is relatively young — aged just 41 — and has never managed in the Premier League before, some critics have questioned whether Liam Rosenior is ready to be Chelsea manager, but Rooney has no such concerns.

Rosenior was Rooney’s assistant manager at Derby County from January 2021 until June 2022. When Rooney resigned, Rosenior was installed as interim manager and oversaw seven wins from 12 games.

His first permanent role in management came at Hull City from November 2022 to May 2024, and he has been in charge of Strasbourg since July 2024.

Speaking on his BBC podcast this week, Rooney said of Rosenior: “I think he is more than capable of going into Chelsea and doing a great job.

“Liam was so important for me when I went into Derby as manager, because I had never coached. I was doing my badges at the time and Liam was incredible in his coaching ability. I was more the manager in terms of dealing with the players and everything. I learned a lot from him from that point of view.

“Then he did a great job at Hull when he went there. They unfortunately just missed out on the play-offs. And he is doing a great job now [at Strasbourg]. I think he would be a great fit.

“Young English managers don’t really get that chance, but he has gone and put the work in and it would be great to see him get that opportunity because I think he’d be really good.”

When asked what Rosenior’s main strengths are, Rooney replied: “Details. Details of coaching and how he works, his work ethic is incredible. So I don’t think there would be any issue dealing with top players. His detail is top and he deserves it.

“I know people might question it. Liam Rosenior wasn’t [as good as] me as a football player. He had a great career but never played at the top level, in terms of the Champions League. But what he is is a top, top coach and hopefully the Premier League gets to see that.”

Liam Rosenior’s managerial record

Club	Games	Wins	Draws	Losses	Win %
Derby County (interim)	12	7	2	3	58.33%
Hull City	78	27	28	23	34.62%
Strasbourg	62	31	14	17	50.00%
Total	152	65	44	43	42.76%

Liam Rosenior would be Chelsea’s head coach, not manager

Rooney repeatedly praised Rosenior for his coaching ability, which is crucial because if Chelsea hire him as expected, he will be the head coach rather than the manager.

The difference between the two roles is very much a hot topic right now. Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim declared on Sunday: “I came here to be the manager of Manchester United, not to be the coach of Manchester United. That is clear.”

Despite Amorim’s claims about being a manager, he is officially Man United’s head coach. Indeed, most of the top bosses in the Premier League — including Pep Guardiola, Arne Slot and Thomas Frank — are employed as head coaches.

The most notable exception is Arsenal’s Mikel Arteta, who was appointed as head coach in December 2019 before his title was upgraded the following year. However, there is no suggestion that Chelsea will follow Arsenal’s example by offering their first-team leader more responsibility and control.