Newly appointed Chelsea manager Liam Rosenior has pledged to be his own man and block out external criticism as he begins his first tenure in the Premier League. The 41-year-old signed a contract extending until 2032 following the departure of Enzo Maresca and will take charge of Chelsea for the first time in Saturday’s FA Cup third-round tie against Charlton Athletic.

Rosenior, a London-born former player, stressed the importance of staying true to his own methods amid media scrutiny, saying the club’s potential is “limitless” and vowing to create a team feared by opponents at Stamford Bridge.

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Rosenior’s Background

Before joining Chelsea, Rosenior managed Hull City in the Championship from 2022 to 2024, followed by a two-year stint at French Ligue 1 side Strasbourg, where he guided the team to a seventh-place finish, securing European football.

Reflecting on his time in France, Rosenior acknowledged the early skepticism he faced:

“When I went in at Strasbourg, I was a joke in the media, and they said that my team would finish last. I was a nobody from England, and we finished three points off the Champions League places. The noise is just noise.”

He emphasized that a manager must be autonomous, stating:

“I don’t think it is possible to be in this job and not be your own man. I understand what is being said in the press, but there is no way you can be a manager if you don’t make the decisions for yourself.”

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Immediate Challenges at Chelsea

Chelsea currently sit eighth in the Premier League following a five-match winless streak. However, the club remains active in three other competitions this season, including the League Cup, where they will host Arsenal in the semi-final first leg.

Rosenior inherits a squad following the departure of Enzo Maresca, who left less than six months after winning the FIFA Club World Cup with Chelsea, amid reported internal tensions with the club’s hierarchy and BlueCo ownership.

“At a club of this stature, the fans want success, and they have every right to want success. To win over the fans, I have to win games of football and build a team that represents them,” Rosenior said.

He also acknowledged the intensity of managing Chelsea, with nine games in 29 days across four competitions at the start of his tenure:

“The pressure is there from day one, and if I wasn’t willing to take on that pressure and privilege, I wouldn’t be here. If you are scared or fearful, there is no point being a coach. I am going to work 24 hours a day to push the players to be successful.”

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Rosenior’s Vision

Rosenior aims to create a fearless Chelsea side and has promised to focus on winning each game step by step:

“I’ve said to the players, focus on winning the next game. That’s how we go on a run. The potential for this club is limitless, and I won’t limit limitlessness.”

He also highlighted the support he has received from staff and players since joining the club:

“The players and staff have been nothing but supportive and made me feel at home. I can’t wait for tomorrow night.”

With Chelsea facing a critical run of fixtures, Rosenior’s focus will be on immediate results while laying the groundwork for long-term success, all while remaining true to his own principles as a manager.