Rosenior lands Paris FC job weeks after Chelsea sacking ended 106-day reign

Liam Rosenior has been appointed head coach of Paris FC, returning to Ligue 1 management just weeks after his sacking by Chelsea in April. The 41-year-old has signed a two-year contract with the French club, who confirmed his arrival on Tuesday following the departure of Antoine Kombouare.

Rosenior’s tenure at Stamford Bridge lasted only 106 days, during which he oversaw 11 wins in 23 matches. He had stepped in following Enzo Maresca’s sudden departure on New Year’s Day, but a run of five successive league defeats without scoring ultimately ended his time at the club.

The appointment marks a swift return to French football for Rosenior. Before joining Chelsea, he had left Strasbourg — a sister club to Chelsea — in January, having guided them to a seventh-place Ligue 1 finish and European competition for the first time in eight years.

Paris FC returned to the French top flight last season for the first time since 1979. Kombouare, a former Paris Saint-Germain manager, was appointed in February and steered the club to an 11th-place finish after they had parted ways with promotion-winning coach Stéphane Gilli. Despite keeping the club comfortably in mid-table, Paris FC have opted for a change in direction.

Sporting director Marco Neppe outlined the reasoning behind the decision: “Liam Rosenior brings together all the qualities we were looking for. He is a modern, demanding coach and recognised for his ability to help both the players and the team progress. Beyond his tactical skills, we were particularly attracted by his management qualities and his ability to unite a group around a clear vision.”

Rosenior himself was candid about his excitement for the challenge ahead: “I’m so happy to be the new coach of Paris FC. I can’t wait to get started with the players. I want my team to enjoy playing football, to show and express themselves and play with intensity and enthusiasm.”

A club statement noted that Rosenior was “fully in line” with Paris FC’s “philosophy and sporting project”, suggesting the appointment reflects a deliberate long-term strategy rather than a short-term fix.