Gareth Southgate has suggested that Liam Rosenior was put into a difficult position from the very start, with his appointment at Stamford Bridge leaving him with plenty to prove early on.
Liam Rosenior has come under fire this season despite a solid record, with eight wins, two draws and just two losses as Chelsea manager.
Enzo Maresca’s popularity hasn’t helped either. It’s always tough to follow someone who was well-liked by the fans, and Maresca had built up plenty of goodwill during his time in charge.
But Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink has called for fans to get behind Rosenior, pointing out that it’s hard enough for any new manager – especially one promoted from within the club – without carrying extra doubts from day one.
Even Gareth Southgate has picked up on the added pressure surrounding Rosenior’s role. It’s clear he hasn’t had an easy start, but not everyone sees it that way.
Southgate on the challenges of Chelsea’s hiring approach
Southgate was speaking on The Football Boardroom YouTube channel when the topic turned to Chelsea manager Liam Rosenior.
He didn’t hold back, suggesting Rosenior finds himself in a very challenging situation right from the start.
“You know, I think if you go in as a manager on the back foot, that’s hard from the off. I think that’s a very difficult position to be in.
“And I think to a degree that’s part of the battle Liam’s got at Chelsea, you know, because he’s an internal Strasbourg appointment. So, as if it’s not hard enough for him, he’s having to deal with that. And how can he overcome all of that?”
Despite all that pressure and expectation around him at Stamford Bridge, Rosenior has handled it quite well so far. He’s already matched Thomas Tuchel’s run of eight wins in 11 games during his early days at Chelsea.
Debate over Liam Rosenior’s appointment at Chelsea
Liam Rosenior hasn’t had the easiest path into the Chelsea job. The so-called “BlueCo Bridge,” a term coined by fans, refers to the ownership’s connection with Strasbourg. His internal promotion has been seen by some as more of a cost-saving move than a football decision.
Because of this, even small missteps are amplified. Recent home draws against Burnley and Leeds have led to chants against BlueCo and accusations that he’s just following orders from above.
But beyond results, Rosenior has another challenge: proving he is the right fit for a club of Chelsea’s stature.
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