Rosenior names three coaching role models in his first interview as Chelsea boss

Liam Rosenior named three coaching role models who have inspired him during his first official interview as Chelsea boss on Wednesday.

Rosenior, 41, was appointed head coach at Stamford Bridge less than a week after Enzo Maresca's shock exit on New Year's Day, which came after an explosive fallout with the club's hierarchy.

The former Strasbourg boss, who previously managed Hull City for two years and Derby County on an interim basis, arrives in west London for what is undeniably the biggest test of his coaching career so far.

Rosenior delivered a confident interview with Chelsea's official website on Wednesday in which he told supporters to 'believe' in him and the football club.

He also revealed that his father Leroy Rosenior, 61, was one of three coaching role models who had inspired him ahead of becoming a manager.

Rosenior Snr managed Gloucester City, Merthyr Tydfil, Torquay United, Brentford and Sierra Leonne during an 11-year spell as a manager between 1996 and 2007, while the new Chelsea boss was in the early stages of his playing career.

Asked who is idols were growing up, Rosenior said: 'Well, he would kill me if I didn't say my dad! Obviously, your dad is your role model.

'My dad, when I was 15 or 16 years old, he managed Torquay United and got them promoted from League Two playing a style of football that I believe in.'

The young head coach went on to share that former Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers and ex-Brighton boss Chris Hughton were also key inspirations to him.

Hughton managed Rosenior between 2015 and 2018 at Brighton, where the former full-back finished his playing career.

'Brendan Rodgers, who was here at Chelsea (as an academy coach), really affected my way of thinking when I was a player at Reading. I've had really top coaches – Chris Hughton's humility – and there are so many different influences,' he said.

'Coaching is just about football; it is about people, understanding people and trying to get the best out of them. That's what I want to do here.'

Rosenior, who has signed a contract running until 2031 at Stamford Bridge with an option for a further year, will take charge of his first game in the FA Cup on Saturday against Charlton Athletic.

Caretaker manager Calum MacFarlane, meanwhile, will oversee Wednesday evening's West London derby against Fulham, having earned a draw at Manchester City at the weekend.

Rosenior will know his job at Chelsea, who won the inaugural Club World Cup under Maresca last summer and are back in the Champions League, comes with lofty expectations for success.

Sending a message to Blues supporters on Wednesday, he said: 'Believe. Believe in what's an amazing football club. Believe in the players, as when you give energy to your team, you help them win.

'That’s why I'm here. It’s why my staff are here. It’s why the players are here. We're here to win and I really, really need the fans to help us achieve that. I can't wait to meet them really soon.'