- This is a breaking news story – more to follow
Liam Rosenior has insisted that he ‘loves’ Strasbourg when asked about rumours linking him to the Chelsea job – but insiders are said to believe he will ‘leave like a thief’.
The former Hull City coach, 41, is the leading contender to succeed Enzo Maresca at Stamford Bridge following the Italian’s explosive New Year’s day departure.
But when asked about his future, he told local reporters on Friday: ‘There’s a lot of noise, a lot of speculation, but as a coach, if you get involved, you fail. My job is here, I love this club.’
However, French outlet L’Equipe claim to have spoken to sources close to the Ligue 1 side’s dressing home, who expect him to depart and leave the team in chaos.
‘Rosenior would really leave like a thief,’ they said. ‘It’s incomprehensible. The team will implode; I see no other way out.’
The 41-year-old was continually pressed about the Chelsea links in his eagerly anticipated press conference and, though he admitted being teased about the potential move away, admitted that he does not know ‘what tomorrow will bring’.
Liam Rosenior is the No 1 candidate to replace Enzo Maresca as Chelsea manager
‘In life, there are zero guarantees, Rosenior said. You never know what tomorrow will bring. I’m just doing my job. There’s already been speculation. I don’t want to guarantee how long I’ll be here, but I enjoy myself here every day.’
‘I intend to continue doing so as long as I’m here. I love this club, but I can’t guarantee anything. Nobody can.’
He also admitted that he has had contact with Chelsea but these ‘exchanges’ are only because they are ‘part of the same group’.
Daily Mail Sport understands Rosenior is leading the race to take the Chelsea hotseat, however, the Strasbourg boss took training and addressed the media on ahead of his side’s league clash against OGC Nice.
Chelsea ownership group BlueCo are admirers of Rosenior due to his work with the Ligue 1 sister club. Bringing him to Stamford Bridge, however, would leave them needing to make another managerial appointment.
Chelsea face Manchester City in the Premier League on Sunday and have asked their Under 21 head coach Calum McFarlane, along with his assistants, to prepare the players for that trip to the Etihad Stadium.
There has been no confirmation yet on whether Maresca’s backroom staff members are staying or leaving, including his assistant Willy Caballero.
The aim is for a new manager to continue working under the same system as Maresca, and to avoid the need to make major changes midway through a season in which the club remain fifth, despite their recent run.
Club bosses — including co-owner Behdad Eghbali and sporting directors Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart — had talks Thursday morning and Maresca’s exit was confirmed soon after.
The writing had been on the wall for Maresca after a spectacular outburst in which he claimed he had endured ‘his worst 48 hours’ following a victory over Everton.
It is thought that the claim related to serious friction between the manager and the medical department and a continuing difference of opinion over the management of injured players and their returns to action.
