Why isn't Liam Rosenior managing Chelsea against Fulham? When new boss will take charge - The Mirror

Chelsea named Liam Rosenior as the club's new head coach ahead of their Premier League clash with Fulham

Chelsea have appointed Liam Rosenior as head coach, but he will not be in charge of the team’s next game against Fulham. The Blues are set to take on their west London rivals at Craven Cottage on Wednesday night.

The 41-year-old’s move from Strasbourg was confirmed on Tuesday, signing a six-and-a-half-year deal. Rosenior arrived at the club’s Cobham training ground to finalise his contract but is not set to take charge of the team until after the Fulham game.

It has been a whirlwind week for Chelsea, who announced that Enzo Maresca had stepped down as head coach on New Year’s Day. The club’s U21 coach Calum McFarlane has since overseen the first team and helped guide Chelsea to a 1-1 draw at Manchester City on Sunday.

In his pre-match press conference on Tuesday, McFarlane shared when Rosenior would officially be starting his new job: “I spoke to Liam briefly last night and he’s really excited to take the role. It was a brief conversation and I understand he will be at Cobham later today [Tuesday], so I’m sure I will catch up with him more on that.

“I’ve been told I am leading the game tomorrow, and we will try to do the best job, as we have done, and give him the three points to take and then build on.”

Although he will not be in the Chelsea dugout, Rosenior is set to be in attendance to watch his new side take on Fulham, where he spent almost four years as a player. The English coach is expected to take his first training session on Thursday ahead of the team’s FA Cup clash away at Charlton Athletic on Saturday.

The club opted to name Rosenior as Maresca’s successor following his impressive work in France. The new Chelsea boss led Strasbourg, who are also owned by BlueCo, to seventh in Ligue 1 last season.

Strasbourg currently occupy the same spot in the table and topped the Europa Conference League standings during the league phase. During his time at the club, Rosenior also worked with several players who have Chelsea connections, including Ben Chilwell, Kendry Paez and Mamadou Sarr.

Upon being named Chelsea head coach, Rosenior said: “To be entrusted with this role means the world to me and I want to thank all involved for the opportunity and faith in undertaking this job. I will give everything to bring the success this club deserves.”

He added: “I am excited to work with this extremely talented group of players and staff, to build strong connections on and off the pitch and to create an environment where everyone feels united and driven by the same goal.

“There is a real hunger to win, and I will give everything, every single day, to help this team compete and win at the very highest level to make everyone connected and proud to be a part of Chelsea Football Club.”

However, Chelsea’s immediate focus will be on earning three points against Fulham. A recent poor run of form has seen the club drop out of the top four, sitting three points behind Liverpool and level with Manchester United.

Ahead of the Fulham game, McFarlane explained that Robert Sanchez, Wesley Fofana and Marc Cucurella had returned to training. The Blues will also welcome Moises Caicedo back from suspension at Craven Cottage.