Rosenior is the favorite among a small group of candidates, as the 41-year-old has made a good impression internally.
Liam Rosenior, Strasbourg coach, is the main candidate to replace Enzo Maresca as Chelsea coach, according to ESPN sources.
The Blues terminated Maresca’s contract on Thursday following what sources describe as a breakdown in relations between the Italian and senior officials at the club.
Academy director Calum McFarlane will appear before the media on Friday ahead of Chelsea’s game against Manchester City but is not a candidate for the job.
Sources have confirmed to ESPN that Rosenior is the favorite among a small group of candidates, as the 41-year-old has made a good impression internally, given that Strasbourg is owned by BlueCo, the same investment company that completed the purchase of Chelsea in 2022.
Rosenior, in a press conference this Friday, admitted that there have been conversations with Chelsea, but added that he loves Strasbourg.
“There are exchanges because we are part of the same group. There is a lot of noise, a lot of speculation, but as a coach, if you let yourself be influenced by that, you fail. My job is here, I love this club,” he said.
“I’m just doing my job. There has already been speculation. I don’t want to guarantee how long I’ll be here, but I enjoy every day. I intend to continue doing it while I’m here. I love this club, but I can’t guarantee anything. Nobody can.
I want to do my job here, simple as that. The reality today is that I am the coach of Strasbourg and I am focused on my position.”
Rosenior also commented that the players had made “some jokes” about the speculation.
“I haven’t spoken to the players about it.
No need, they are engaged and we have joked a little. But we have focused on our work. The goal is to continue achieving great things here.”
Although sources have insisted that Rosenior is not the only candidate, Roberto de Zerbi is not being considered, despite the Marseille coach being interviewed ahead of Maresca’s appointment in 2024.
Sources have also ruled out the possibility of signing former Chelsea midfielder and current Como manager Cesc Fàbregas, as well as Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner.
Chelsea maintains its firm commitment to its internal structure, despite the fact that this became a source of friction for Maresca.
Sources have revealed to ESPN that Maresca had disagreements with the club’s medical department, since he considered that it had unnecessarily limited the minutes of some players.
The Chelsea manager also receives technical briefings after each match from a support team that includes five sporting directors, and sources claim Maresca wanted to have a greater say in the management of the team.
McFarlane is expected to lead Chelsea at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday as talks continue to find a permanent replacement.
Some reports have also linked Porto coach Francesco Farioli with the job.
Information from James Olley was used in this report.
