New Chelsea head coach Liam Rosenior has drawn bold comparisons between his youthful Blues squad and Manchester United’s legendary Class of ’92, insisting the club has the talent and potential to build a dynasty rooted in bravery, belief, and long-term development.

The 41-year-old was appointed Chelsea manager after Enzo Maresca’s departure on New Year’s Day, inheriting the youngest squad in the Premier League and a fanbase divided over the club’s long-term project. Despite recent struggles and growing scrutiny of the ownership model, Rosenior is confident Chelsea’s investment in youth can yield sustained success — just as it once did under Sir Alex Ferguson at Old Trafford.

Inspired by Sir Alex Ferguson’s Bravery

Speaking ahead of his first match in charge — an FA Cup tie away to Charlton Athletic — Rosenior explained how Ferguson’s faith in young players shaped his own coaching philosophy.

“I was a Manchester United fan growing up, and now I’m massively a Chelsea fan,” Rosenior said. “I remember Sir Alex Ferguson being brave enough to put six or seven players aged between 19 and 21 into a title-winning team because he believed in them.”

Those players — Ryan Giggs, David Beckham, Paul Scholes, Nicky Butt, and Gary and Phil Neville — would go on to dominate English football for more than a decade, earning legendary status as the Class of ’92.

“Without that bravery, it doesn’t happen,” Rosenior added. “There is potential for that here at Chelsea.”

Chelsea’s Young Core Has World-Class Potential

Chelsea’s starting line-ups have averaged just 24 years and 198 days this season, making them the youngest in the Premier League. While Maresca cited this as a challenge, Rosenior views it as a unique opportunity.

“Look at Moises Caicedo, Enzo Fernández, Cole Palmer, Reece James,” he said. “They’re world-class players — and still very, very young. That’s the ultimate ambition for this club: to create something special again.”

Rosenior believes Chelsea’s youthful core can grow together, develop resilience, and eventually deliver trophies — not in spite of their age, but because of it.

Proven Success with Youth at Strasbourg

Rosenior arrives from Strasbourg, another club under the Todd Boehly–Clearlake Capital ownership umbrella, where he spent 18 months developing one of Europe’s youngest squads. Last season, Strasbourg fielded the youngest team across Europe’s top five leagues, averaging just over 21 years old, and finished seventh — narrowly missing out on the Champions League while qualifying for Europe for the first time in eight years.

“If you watched my Strasbourg team, people enjoyed watching them because they played with intensity,” Rosenior said. “They were young, fit, aggressive, and less prone to injury. I want to create that here.”

He emphasized that youth does not preclude immediate success. “If I thought it was impossible to win with this group, I wouldn’t have come.”

Addressing Fan Discontent and Ownership Criticism

Rosenior takes charge at a turbulent moment. Chelsea sit eighth in the Premier League, with just one win in nine matches, and recent defeats have sparked vocal protests against the club’s ownership. During Wednesday’s 2-1 loss at Fulham, fans displayed banners reading “BlueCo out,” while chants against the hierarchy echoed around Craven Cottage.

A survey released by the Chelsea Supporters’ Trust revealed widespread skepticism about the club’s direction, with many fans doubting the current regime’s ability to deliver success over the next three to five years.

Despite the unrest, Rosenior has expressed confidence in Chelsea’s multi-director structure — which includes Paul Winstanley, Laurence Stewart, Sam Jewell, Dave Fallows, and Joe Shields — having worked under a similar model at Strasbourg.

“I understand what they want and how they want to get there,” Rosenior said. “That alignment helps me deliver success. The project is about winning — winning games and delivering trophies for Chelsea.”

A Coach Willing to Be Judged on Results

Although Rosenior lacks the silverware of predecessors such as José Mourinho, Carlo Ancelotti, Antonio Conte, and Thomas Tuchel, he rejected suggestions that he is an underwhelming appointment.

“Everybody starts somewhere,” he said. “Mourinho once said it took him 20 years to become an overnight success. You’re not a name until you become a name.”

Rosenior’s message to Chelsea supporters was direct and measured: judge performances, not perceptions.

“Judge what you see on the pitch, not what you hear,” he said. “Give me, my staff, and my players the chance to prove we are worthy. If it’s not good enough, I’ll be the first to say it — I’m accountable.”

Building Culture, Not Just Tactics

For Rosenior, management goes far beyond formations and game plans.

“Systems and tactics are only about 10% of the job,” he explained. “The rest is creating spirit, energy, and culture.”

If successful, Rosenior believes Chelsea’s young squad could one day be remembered in the same breath as football’s most iconic generations — a modern Class of ’92 built in west London.