Why Liam Rosenior won't be in Chelsea dugout against Fulham

New Blues boss will have to wait a few days for his first game in charge

Appointment confirmed: Liam Rosenior has left Strasbourg to become the new head coach at Chelsea

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Liam Rosenior will watch on from the stands at Craven Cottage as Calum McFarlane leads Chelsea against Fulham.

Rosenior was on Tuesday morning announced as Chelsea's new head coach on a contract that runs until 2031 and includes the option to extend by a further 12 months.

The 41-year-old said his goodbyes to Strasbourg in a final press conference held in France shortly before, and will now travel back to London and take his first training session as Chelsea boss at Cobham on Thursday morning as the Blues prepare for Saturday night’s FA Cup third-round trip to Charlton.

Before that, the Blues face west London rivals Fulham in the Premier League on Wednesday night.

Chelsea decided the Charlton game made more sense as Rosenior’s first match in charge, but Standard Sport understands he is expected to sit alongside directors and watch the Fulham derby from the stands at Craven Cottage.

Following the departure of Enzo Maresca on New Year’s Day, Chelsea’s Under-21s head coach McFarlane took temporary charge of the senior team for Sunday’s match against Manchester City, when the Blues earned a 1-1 draw at the Etihad Stadium thanks to Enzo Fernandez’s late equaliser.

McFarlane will be in the dugout again for the game against Fulham , before handing over the reins to Rosenior ahead of the weekend visit to The Valley and returning to his usual role.

Rosenior faces a busy first few weeks at the helm of Chelsea , who host Arsenal in the first leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final tie next week.

His first league match will come in another London derby against Brentford at Stamford Bridge on January 17, which is followed four days later by their penultimate fixture of the Champions League league phase at home to Cypriot club Pafos.

Chelsea also face Crystal Palace, Napoli and West Ham before the end of a hectic January, with the transfer window open for business.