Who is Liam Rosenior? Wayne Rooney's former colleague becomes frontrunner to replace Enzo Maresca at Chelsea

In less that six months after winning the revamped FIFA Club World Cup in the United States, Chelsea have parted ways with Enzo Maresca on New Year's day, after the Italian's fall out with the club's bosses at Stamford Bridge. Maresca joined Chelsea in 2024 on a five-year contract with an option of one-year extension. He succeeded Mauricio Pochettino.

Maresca's departure came after the Chelsea managed to win just a single of their last seven Premier League games. Having said that, Maresca's comment where he claimed he endured ‘his worst 48 hours’ following Chelsea's win over Everton, didn't go well with the owners.

With Maresca leaving, Chelsea are likely to have U-21 head coach Calum McFarlane as the interim manager for Sunday's Premier League game against Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium. While the Blues are seeking options, a report in Daily Mail stated Liam Rosenior to be the frontrunner to replace Maresca at Chelsea.

Notably, Chelsea and Strasbourg are owned by the same people. Having played for Bristol City, Fulham, Reading, Hull and Brighton, Rosenior entered the coaching job with the Seagulls' U-23 side.

Rosenior' biggest break in coaching came when he was appointed as na

Bill Belichick and Wayne Rooney as key influences, with Rosenior appointed assistant manager to the latter at Derby County in 2021.