Liam Rosenior’s record of developing youngsters was key to Chelsea appointment

Leadership, personality and a record of improving young players were amongst the deciding factors in persuading Chelsea to appoint new head coach Liam Rosenior, the Press Association understands.

The 41-year-old was unveiled on Tuesday as the successor to Enzo Maresca after signing a deal until 2032 to become the fourth permanent boss of the BlueCo ownership era.

A former Hull and Derby manager, he moves to Stamford Bridge from Chelsea’s sister club Strasbourg where his record in working with the youngest squad in Europe’s top five leagues sufficiently impressed the owners and sporting directors to elevate him to the Stamford Bridge job.

Under BlueCo, the club have pursued a policy of signing young, inexperienced but promising players in the hope of seeing them mature and their value increase. It is with Rosenior’s ability to work within this model in mind that the appointment has been made.

Last season he led Strasbourg to a seventh-place finish in Ligue 1, just the second time since 1981 they had finished that high, despite an average starting lineup age of 21.7 years.

Under Rosenior the team became known for playing possession-based football with defensive stability, and it is understood that his success in building a team capable of controlling games appealed strongly to the Chelsea hierarchy.

The club wanted to appoint a coach whose philosophy was a fit with the squad already assembled and with future recruitment plans, something they believe they have found in Rosenior.

In a statement he said: “I am extremely humbled and honoured to be appointed head coach of Chelsea Football Club.

Words from Liam Rosenior.