Rooney calls on Chelsea fans to give Rosenior a chance

Wayne Rooney believes Liam Rosenior is worthy of the opportunity to become Chelsea’s next manager, describing him as one of the best coaches he has ever worked with and backing him to succeed if appointed at Stamford Bridge.

Rosenior has emerged as the leading candidate to replace Enzo Maresca, with talks between Chelsea and the 41-year-old understood to be at an advanced stage following his arrival in London on Sunday night.

Rosenior and Rooney worked closely together at Derby County in 2021 and 2022, when Rosenior served as Rooney’s assistant before stepping up as interim manager following the former England striker’s departure.

Since then, Rosenior has had spells as head coach of Hull City and, more recently, Strasbourg, who share ownership with Chelsea.

Speaking on the BBC’s Wayne Rooney Show, Rooney was unwavering in his praise.

“He’s taken chances, and hopefully that pays off because I think Liam is as good a coach as I’ve ever worked with,” he said. “His detail, how he approaches the day-to-day, he’s as good as I’ve worked with.”

Rooney, who has gone on to manage DC United, Birmingham City and Plymouth Argyle, said Rosenior played a significant role in his own development as a manager.

“Liam was so important for me. He was incredible in his coaching ability. I was more of the manager and dealing with players and everything. So I learned a lot from him from that point of view and then I think he’s done a great job as a whole.”

Despite Rosenior’s relative lack of experience at the very top level, Rooney said he has “no doubts” about his ability to handle the demands of managing a club of Chelsea’s stature.

He also pointed to Rosenior’s personality as a key asset. “He’s also got a side which you don’t want to cross him as well,” Rooney said. “That’s important as well. If he goes in there, he won’t disappoint. He’s been waiting for an opportunity like this.”

Rooney believes the timing is right for Rosenior to take such a step, insisting that opportunities of this scale do not come around often.

“If you don’t take it now, then you’re never going to take it,” he said. “And I think he’s done his apprenticeship, he’s done his work to try and get to that job. So he’ll have no doubts in his mind that he’s capable of doing that job.”

He also stressed the wider significance of the potential appointment, given the lack of English managers at elite clubs.

“Hopefully, very soon, hopefully we hear that he is the manager, because for young English coaches I think it’s massive,” Rooney said. “We don’t really see English managers at big clubs. So he’d be leading the way for us.”