Former Ghana coach Chris Hughton believes Chelsea have appointed a head coach who will not shy away from expressing his views, backing Liam Rosenior to bring clarity, conviction and independence of thought to Stamford Bridge.
Hughton, who managed Rosenior at Brighton and has remained close to him since, says the new Chelsea boss has never been the type to simply follow instructions without question.
Chelsea confirmed the appointment of Rosenior from Strasbourg on a six-and-a-half-year contract, with the option of a further season, following Enzo Maresca’s departure on New Year’s Day.
The 41-year-old becomes one of the youngest head coaches in the Premier League and steps into the role at a critical moment for a club seeking stability and direction.
Rosenior will watch Wednesday’s Premier League fixture away to Fulham from the stands at Craven Cottage before officially taking charge.
His first training session is scheduled for Thursday, ahead of Saturday’s FA Cup third-round tie against Charlton Athletic, which will mark his first match in charge.
Hughton, drawing on his time working closely with Rosenior, expects him to be assertive and forthright in his approach.
“Liam is a good communicator and in my dealings with him, a manager to a player, Liam was never afraid to say what he thought,” Hughton told The Telegraph.
“This is part and parcel of somebody who was really enthused by the game, loved the game. A real student of the game, but somebody who was not afraid to say what he thinks.”
The former Brighton and Ghana manager added: “I had a very, very good relationship with Liam and still do. I was always very straight and honest with him and he was never afraid to say what he felt to me.”
Hughton visited Rosenior last season during his 17-month spell in charge at Strasbourg, where the Englishman continued to build a reputation as a thoughtful and progressive coach.
Rosenior’s footballing background also runs deep. He is the son of former manager and player Leroy Rosenior, a former Sierra Leone international, reinforcing a lineage shaped by experience, opinion and leadership.
