Chelsea have parted ways with Enzo Maresca with Strasbourg boss Liam Rosenior among the leading candidates to succeed him at Stamford Bridge
Potential new Chelsea boss, Liam Rosenior, has already given a glimpse into how he would manage the dressing room dynamics. The Blues announced on Thursday that they have parted ways with their head coach Enzo Maresca.
The Italian departs less than six months after clinching the Club World Cup and Conference League in his debut season at Stamford Bridge. Despite guiding Chelsea back to the Champions League, they currently sit 13th in the league phase, indicating there’s still work to be done to avoid a two-legged play-off tie.
The hunt for Maresca’s successor is now in full swing, with Strasbourg’s boss Rosenior emerging as one of the frontrunners. Football.london reports that the Blues’ top brass have been greatly impressed by the work the 41-year-old has accomplished since taking the reins at their partner club, Strasbourg.
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Rosenior has previously shared insights into his management style with The Times, providing hints about how he would handle the big personalities at Chelsea if he lands the top job. The Englishman also revealed how his methods caused an immediate stir, insisting his players must have thought he was ‘mad’.
He said back in September: “We don’t have many rules. I don’t set curfews. I haven’t fined a player since I’ve been at the club.
“The first thing I said to the group is, ‘If you’re trustworthy and you live the right way, then you’re going to be a part of this. If you don’t, you won’t be.’ In France, it’s very structured. Culturally, that was a huge thing at the time.
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“We went on a pre-season trip to Germany in my first week. I set them no rules. A group of 19 and 20-year-olds. Everyone thought, ‘This guy is mad.’ The woman who ran the hotel said to me and Kalifa (Cissé, Rosenior’s assistant) that she had never come across such a well-behaved group of lads.
“I have to earn the players’ respect. As a manager, the reality of football now is I’m not in control. The players are in control.
“If I treat them badly, phone call to the agent, agent calls the club, manager’s done – ‘Lost the dressing room.’ But if you look after your people, they will look after you. That’s the way that we work here. And that’s why everyone buys in.”
Rosenior, a well-known admirer of Sir Alex Ferguson, also revealed what he always prioritises upon joining a new club – echoing the philosophy of some of football’s most successful bosses that “building connections” is crucial.
He added: “Before you even talk about tactics, philosophies or systems, you need to have a group of guys that want to fight for you.
“Wherever I go, my first job is to create a culture where people enjoy what they do, but they’re connected to each other and to what we do.”
Meanwhile, Football.london has reported that Cesc Fabregas is not on Chelsea’s radar. Despite the former Blues midfielder’s impressive stint with Serie A team Como, he is not currently being considered for a managerial role.
Roberto De Zerbi, the current Marseille boss and ex-Brighton manager, is also not in contention, despite rumours suggesting otherwise. Similarly, former skipper John Terry is not under consideration.
