Image source: football.london
New Chelsea head coach Liam Rosenior opted to watch his team’s clash against Fulham from the stands at Craven Cottage, explaining that insufficient preparation time following his Tuesday appointment meant Calum McFarlane remained in the dugout for the west London derby on his behalf.
Rosenior Watches From Stands as McFarlane Takes Charge Against Fulham Again
The 41-year-old former Strasbourg manager was unveiled as Chelsea’s new head coach on Tuesday but chose not to take immediate control of the team for their trip to Craven Cottage. Instead, U21s boss McFarlane continued in his interim role, having previously guided the Blues to an impressive 1-1 draw away to Manchester City in his temporary charge.
Rosenior explained his decision to Sky Sports before kick-off, citing travel logistics and McFarlane’s recent success as key factors. “Just travel. But mainly the fact that Calum did such an incredible job against Man City,” Rosenior said. “The performance of the players, especially in the second half, the energy, the intensity, the quality that they played with. They’ve supported the lads in a really difficult moment in a really good way.”
The new Chelsea manager revealed he had flown over from Strasbourg on Monday morning, leaving insufficient time to implement his tactical approach effectively. “It’s a difficult timeframe for me to get in the tactical work that I need to get into to give the lads the best chance to win,” he explained. “I’ve got full faith in Calum and the lads to win the game tonight.”
Despite not taking charge immediately, Rosenior outlined his vision for Chelsea’s playing style, emphasizing adaptability while maintaining core principles. “Every manager has an idea of how they want to play. That’s what makes you a coach,” he said. “I think my style fits the players perfectly, but you have to be able to adapt. The most important thing for me is intensity, running, spirit, quality and you can do that in many different ways in football.”
The match against Marco Silva’s Fulham carried significant importance for Chelsea’s league position, with the Blues starting the evening only three points away from fourth-placed Liverpool but also just four points clear of 14th-placed Crystal Palace. Rosenior signed a six-and-a-half year contract running until 2032 when he was appointed earlier this week.
