Rooney backs Rosenior for Chelsea role after Derby County partnership

Rooney’s endorsement as Chelsea talks continue

Wayne Rooney has publicly backed Liam Rosenior to become Chelsea’s next manager, describing him as “as good a coach as I’ve ever worked with”. Rooney’s comments come as Rosenior, currently in charge at Strasbourg, is reported to be the leading candidate for the Chelsea job. Chelsea and Strasbourg share the same owners, and Rosenior travelled to London on Sunday night for talks with Chelsea as negotiations were said to be at an advanced stage.

Rooney, speaking on the BBC’s Wayne Rooney Show, reflected on their time together at Derby County and argued that Rosenior has earned an opportunity at the highest level. Rooney said he has “no doubts” Rosenior could do a good job if appointed.

A working relationship forged at Derby County

Rosenior worked as Rooney’s assistant at Derby in 2021 and 2022. Rooney described Rosenior as central to his own work during that period, explaining how responsibilities were shared between them. “Liam was so important for me,” Rooney said, adding that Rosenior was “incredible in his coaching ability” while Rooney focused more on management and dealing with players.

Rooney also highlighted Rosenior’s attention to detail and his approach to the day-to-day demands of coaching. In his view, Rosenior’s methods and standards place him among the best coaches he has worked alongside.

After Rooney’s departure from Derby, Rosenior became the club’s interim head coach in League One, taking on the role during a transitional period for the Rams.

From EFL grounding to a leading candidate

Rosenior’s coaching pathway has largely been shaped in the EFL, where he also spent roughly half of his playing career. He began coaching after a spell as Brighton’s under-23s coach and then spent three years at Derby, initially working with Phillip Cocu before later joining Rooney’s staff.

Following his interim period at Derby, Rosenior moved into a permanent managerial role at Hull City. He was later sacked by the club, despite Hull just missing out on the Championship play-offs. In 2024, he took over at Strasbourg, where his work has now placed him in contention for a high-profile move to Chelsea.

Chelsea vacancy after Maresca exit

Chelsea are seeking a new manager after Enzo Maresca left his role after 18 months in charge. Maresca departed following a falling out with the club’s owners, creating an opening that could lead to Rosenior’s return to English football in a major position.

The last time Rosenior worked in the Premier League was as a player with Brighton in 2017. As a right-back, he also featured in the top flight for Fulham, Reading and Hull. His playing career was described as solid but unspectacular, with significant experience across the EFL.

Rooney: “He’s taken chances”

Rooney framed Rosenior’s career progression as one built on taking opportunities at the right time. “He’s taken chances, and hopefully that pays off,” Rooney said, adding that Rosenior has been “waiting for an opportunity like this”.

In Rooney’s view, the Chelsea role represents the kind of opening that demands commitment. He suggested that if Rosenior did not take such a chance when it arrives, he might never take it at all. Rooney also said Rosenior has “done his apprenticeship” and “done his work” to put himself in position for a job of this scale.

Coaching detail and authority

Alongside technical and tactical praise, Rooney also pointed to Rosenior’s personality and presence, saying he has “a side which you don’t want to cross him as well”. Rooney presented that edge as an important quality for a manager, particularly in a high-pressure environment.

Rooney’s assessment combined admiration for Rosenior’s coaching detail with confidence in his ability to handle the demands of a major club. “If he goes in there, he won’t disappoint,” Rooney said, reiterating his belief that Rosenior would back himself and feel capable of doing the job.

What it could mean for English coaches

Rooney also placed Rosenior’s potential appointment in a wider context, describing it as significant for “young English coaches”. He noted that English managers are not commonly seen at the biggest clubs and argued that Rosenior could “be leading the way” if he were to take charge at Chelsea.

At present, the only English managers in the Premier League are Newcastle’s Eddie Howe, Burnley’s Scott Parker and Nottingham Forest’s Sean Dyche. Rooney suggested that an English coach stepping into a role of Chelsea’s profile would stand out within that landscape.

Key points at a glance

• Liam Rosenior is reported to be the leading candidate for the Chelsea manager role and held talks in London as negotiations were said to be at an advanced stage.
• Wayne Rooney described Rosenior as “as good a coach as I’ve ever worked with” and said he has “no doubts” Rosenior could do a good job at Chelsea.
• Rosenior worked as Rooney’s assistant at Derby County in 2021 and 2022 and later served as Derby’s interim head coach in League One.
• He managed Hull City before being sacked despite the club just missing out on the Championship play-offs, then moved to Strasbourg in 2024.
• Rooney said Rosenior has “done his apprenticeship” and emphasised the potential importance of his appointment for English coaches.

Rooney’s current role

Since leaving Derby, Rooney has managed DC United, Birmingham City and Plymouth Argyle. He now works in the media, including his BBC podcast, where he shared his reflections on Rosenior’s coaching ability and the impact he had during their time together.

With Chelsea in the process of appointing a new head coach, Rooney’s endorsement adds a notable voice to the discussion, rooted in first-hand experience of Rosenior’s methods, standards and influence within a coaching staff.