"Surprising Chelsea Star Liam Rosenior: How Wayne Rooney Shaped His Journey and an Unforgettable 10-Minute Dad Dismissal"

LIAM ROSENIOR could be jumping from the frying pan into the Chelsea fire – if he receives the ultimate offer he can’t refuse.

It would be a massive leap for Rosenior, 41, knowing that the scrutiny of being the will be one that could make or break his career.

Liam Rosenior could be set to leave Strasbourg for sister club ChelseaCredit: Getty The Blues need a new manager following Enzo Maresca’s exitCredit: EPA

for an experienced, seasoned manager, let alone one who has spent much of his football career in the lower reaches and had barely 150 games in the dug-out.

Then again, when you have seen your father sacked 10 MINUTES after taking a job, played for Mohamed Al-Fayed, cut your managerial teeth for two testing regimes and then spent 18 months under the Blue blanket, you’re probably prepared for most things football can throw at you.

Yet .

The change of regime from Roman Abramovich to Clearlake has only intensified the focus and

Yet despite all that, the opportunity is one that few could reject – especially when, as in the case of Rosenior, you are already on the payroll.

And while his managerial ascent has been rapid, Rosenior would argue it has also been a long time coming.

Rosenior grew up in Wandsworth, just a couple of miles the other side of the Thames from Stamford Bridge, in what he describes as a “mixed heritage” background.

While dad Leroy was a professional for clubs including Fulham, QPR and West Ham, his white mum was a social worker, fostering deprived kids, an upbringing which has bequeathed him a deep conscience and belief in the values of multiculturalism and diversity.

His career as a right-sided defender began at Bristol City, where Leroy had played for two seasons on his journey round the country.

Rosenior had spells at four Premier League sides, playing in the top flight for Fulham, Reading, Hull and Brighton before retiring in 2018 to take a job with the Seagulls’ under-23 side.

Rosenior spent time as Derby’s No2 under Wayne RooneyCredit: Getty He was briefly interim boss at Derby after Wazza’s departure and also had a spell at HullCredit: Getty

It was 11 years earlier that Leroy was appointed manager of Torquay only to be relieved of command literally 10 minutes later after a change of ownership at Plainmoor.

That did not prevent Rosenior Jr taking to coaching like a duck to water, earning his move to Derby, as No 2 to Dutch legend Phillip Cocu, retaining the role at the cash-strapped Rams when Wayne Rooney was appointed in 2021.

The pair had crossed paths only briefly in their playing careers, but Rosenior, who eventually succeeded Rooney on a temporary basis, recalled: “We had an amazing connection.

“Within two weeks we completely trusted each other, organically. I learned so much from Wayne. Without that experience I wouldn’t be the manager I am now.”

Next came a return to the Humber, with a two and a half year appointment as Tigers boss under Turkish media magnate Acun Ilicali.

The pair were not exactly kindred spirits, an ill-matched partnership cut short after 18 months with Ilicali suggesting he and Rosenior had divergent “football philosophies”, with the owner wanting, he claimed, a more attacking approach.

Yet while Strasbourg fans have their issues with the BlueCo ownership of the club, fearing they are being used as little more than a nursery with no long-term plan, there have been few quibbles with Rosenior or his style of play.

Asked to sum that up, he explained his philosophy in three words: “Bravery, engagement, energy.”

Rosenior added: “There’s no right or wrong way to play – but you want to be a dominant team, with or without the ball

“I want my team to enjoy what they do, to play with the enthusiasm of children and express themselves.

“As a player, you want to feel respected, loved and I’m not afraid to tell my players I love them.

“But you have to tell them the truth and that is because you love them. You need to make mistakes to learn, to improve. There should be no limits to our ambitions.

Of course, at Chelsea there is no limit to the expectations, either. Tough love has been the order of the day for two decades, too.

Enzo Maresca was just the latest to chafe at the recruitment model that he felt brought unrealistic demands.

Perhaps, having spent 18 months learning the BlueCo ropes, Rosenior is more prepared for the involvement from above that Maresca viewed as unacceptable interference.

Yet he could call Strasbourg a “long-term project” adding: “They gave me the time to make mistakes and I can coach authentically.

“I don’t need to win the next game to keep my job, so I can coach how I want to coach. Without trust you can’t do anything in life.”

At Strasbourg, maybe. At Chelsea? Not so much. That fire would be hotter than anything he has ever experienced before.