LFormer Manchester United and England striker Wayne Rooney has thrown his support behind Strasbourg manager Liam Rosenior as Chelsea search for a new head coach, describing the 41-year-old as one of the finest coaches he has worked with.
Rosenior has emerged as a front-runner for the vacant Chelsea managerial position following the exit of Enzo Maresca. The English coach is currently in charge of French Ligue 1 side Strasbourg, a club that shares ownership ties with the Premier League outfit.
Rooney and Rosenior previously worked together at Derby County between 2021 and 2022 during a challenging period for the club, with Rosenior serving as Rooney’s assistant. After Rooney left Derby, Rosenior briefly took charge as interim manager before securing a permanent role at Hull City, and later moving to Strasbourg in 2024.
Speaking on the BBC’s Wayne Rooney Show, the former England captain praised Rosenior’s coaching ability, attention to detail, and daily work ethic, insisting he has earned the chance to manage at the highest level.
“He’s taken risks in his career, and I hope it pays off because Liam is as good a coach as I’ve ever worked with,” Rooney said. “His approach to the game and the detail he brings to training are top-class.”
Rooney also acknowledged Rosenior’s influence during their time at Derby, noting that his former assistant played a key role in shaping the team tactically.
“Liam was incredibly important to me. His coaching ability was outstanding. I focused more on managing players, while he handled much of the tactical and coaching work,” he added.
Chelsea are believed to be stepping up efforts to appoint a new manager, with Rosenior now widely viewed as a leading candidate to take charge at Stamford Bridge.
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