Liam Rosenior was in the stands on Wednesday night but opted against getting involved as he watched his new Chelsea side suffer defeat to Fulham at Craven Cottage.
Earlier this week, Rosenior was appointed as Chelsea’s new manager after an incredibly successful spell in France with Ligue 1 side Strasbourg. That form has earned him a move to BlueCo’s much bigger side.
Rosenior has put pen to paper on a contract until the summer of 2032, another example of Todd Boehly dishing out an enormous Chelsea contract. Rosenior was available to take charge of Chelsea tonight.
What must Liam Rosenior fix first? 😡
Not good enough…
But the former Hull City manager was instead seen in the stands at Craven Cottage as he watched his new side go down to 10 men, and despite a spirited second half, he saw Chelsea eventually lose to Fulham.
Calum McFarlane explains Liam Rosenior decision against Fulham
Fulham eventually took the lead following Marc Cucurella’s red card when Raul Jimenez was afforded the entirety of the penalty area to head past Robert Sanchez. But Chelsea fought back, Liam Delap scoring.
It was the striker’s first Premier League goal since joining the club. However, the goal seemed to spark Fulham into life again, and it was in-form Harry Wilson that lashed home a right-footed strike to win.
Ultimately, it was a lack of discipline and a fifth Premier League red card that saw Chelsea succumb to another defeat. McFarlane explained why Rosenior had decided not to take charge at Craven Cottage.
Asked why he didn’t take charge, McFarlane explained that it was due to timing and praised Rosenior for the respect he has shown: “Because he’s come in so late, we already did the prep so he left it to us.
“He’s had some really encouraging words and been complimentary. He let us pick the team and tactics. He’s been really respectful and trusting before he starts with his job tomorrow,” McFarlane summarised.
Marc Cucurella’s red card vs Fulham was Chelsea’s fifth in the Premier League this season! 🔴
How does Liam Rosenior solve Chelsea's disciplinary problem?
Chelsea players to have been sent off:
- Marc Cucurella
- Moises Caicedo
- Malo Gusto
- Trevoh Chalobah
- Robert Sanchez
What McFarlane will now do with Rosenior starting on Thursday
McFarlane has earned praise from Chelsea supporters for his passion on the sidelines, even if it did spill over on Wednesday night and resulted in him being shown a yellow card, like many of Chelsea’s players.
Before Maresca was sacked, McFarlane was working as Chelsea’s U21 manager and he confirmed to the media that he would be returning to his role as manager of the second string, who lost 6-2 to Benfica.
“As I’m aware, we’re back with the Under-21s. I’d love to know their score, does anyone know?” he said, when asked about what happens next. A reporter informed him of the 6-2 loss, to which he said: “Okay”.
Rosenior’s era begins on Thursday then, and the schedule is relentless. It begins with Charlton away in the third round of The FA Cup on Saturday night, before a Carabao Cup first-leg semi-final against Arsenal.
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