The latest buzz in the football world revolves around the vacant managerial position at Chelsea, with the club's hierarchy in a frenzy to find a suitable replacement for Enzo Maresca. Amidst the chaos, one name has emerged as the leading contender: Liam Rosenior, the current manager of Strasbourg. But here's where it gets intriguing...
Rosenior, a 41-year-old former Hull City manager, is not just any candidate. He has significant backing from the club's new owners, BlueCo, who purchased Chelsea in 2022. This backing is so strong that sources suggest other candidates are being considered, but Rosenior remains the frontrunner. His reputation for developing players and astute management of the dressing room has made him a hot prospect in the football world, with multiple clubs, including Bayer Leverkusen, expressing interest last summer.
However, the potential departure of Rosenior from Strasbourg could cause unrest among the fans, who see themselves as a feeder club for Chelsea. The club's style of play, which is unlikely to change, also makes it highly unlikely that they would move for Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner. So, who else is in the running?
Well, let's take a look. Roberto de Zerbi, the former Brighton manager, caught the eye with his impressive first season at the club, guiding them into Europe for the first time. However, his domestic returns were more modest in the 2023-24 season. Kieran McKenna, the Northern Irishman, has also been interviewed for the role and has mutual admiration with the club's hierarchy. Francesco Farioli, the 36-year-old Porto manager, is another name that has been thrown into the hat, but a reported £13m buyout clause could be a hurdle for Chelsea.
Frank Lampard, a legend from his playing days at Stamford Bridge, is also in the running, despite his previous managerial spells at Chelsea not being hugely successful. The club's co-owner, Behdad Eghbali, was spotted with De Zerbi last May, but it remains to be seen if he would leave his current club, Marseille, which is sitting third in Ligue 1 and performing well in the Champions League.
So, who will be the next manager of Chelsea? The club's hierarchy has a challenging task ahead, but with the right choice, they could be on their way to a brighter future. The question remains: Will it be Rosenior, De Zerbi, McKenna, Farioli, or Lampard? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain: the football world is watching with bated breath.
