Inside Chelsea's decision to hire Liam Rosenior as six big reasons come to light

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Chelsea had a clear choice in mind when it came to replacing Enzo Maresca. After the dramatic split between the Blues and their former head coach was made public on New Year's Day, the west London club had already begun planning for the future.

A few names were tossed around, but Liam Rosenior always seemed to be the standout candidate.

Rosenior, having spent just shy of 18 months at Strasbourg - a club owned by BlueCo - is no stranger to Chelsea's sporting directors and ownership group. The 41 year old gaffer has a tight-knit relationship with Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart, Chelsea's two sporting directors, which played a significant role in his appointment.

Rosenior, now tied down to a five-and-a-half year contract - with an option to extend for another year - at Stamford Bridge, is seen as a leader with the charisma to guide the youthful squad.

The ex-Hull City boss shares a similar football philosophy with Maresca; a possession-based game coupled with defensive solidity, something that Chelsea bigwigs believe will ease the transition. Rosenior encourages his players to form strong bonds both on and off the pitch and is keen to foster a similar rapport with the fans.

The former England Under-21 star aims to rally the Chelsea faithful, using the electric atmosphere at Stamford Bridge as a secret weapon.

One of the key factors behind Enzo Maresca's downfall at Chelsea was his strained relationship with the club's medical team, which deteriorated after the Italian disregarded professional guidance on player management.

Senior officials at Stamford Bridge are convinced Rosenior possesses an excellent track record of operating within a comparable framework and are optimistic he can maximise his squad's potential in this area.

Chelsea's caretaker boss Calum McFarlane, who will oversee this evening's Premier League clash at Fulham , expects Rosenior's arrival to be seamless, with the Under-21s manager eager to collaborate closely with him.

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"I think it will be a smooth transition," McFarlane said on Tuesday. "I think the lads are in a really good place. I've mentioned loads of times the level they have shown this year and it is just about getting that on the most consistent basis possible.

"I think Liam is really excited to take this job and he will have the full faith and we have to back him fully that he will come in and it will be a really smooth transition."

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