Telling rival to ‘do one’ & results – How Rosenior is winning over Chelsea fans

There was a big chant in the room after Liam Rosenior spoke: “Liam, Liam, Liam.”

The Chelsea fans are buying into their manager because of the results, the soundbites and the way he engages.

It was a corporate Chelsea event on Thursday night in the West Stand for season ticket holders, fans and the like with Rosenior the star attraction and legends like John Terry and Carlo Cudicini also in attendance. And they liked what they heard. Rosenior spoke about progress, competing with Arsenal and making Chelsea successful again.

Earlier in the day, there was a Chelsea Foundation event at training and, off his own back, he went over to the kids and explained what was happening in the session. He is a thoroughly decent bloke.

Down the years, Chelsea have had some incredible big-name managers and big personalities. Jose Mourinho, Carlo Ancelotti, Antonio Conte and Thomas Tuchel to name but a few. Rosenior came from “within house” at BlueCo-owned Strasbourg, was clearly the owners’ choice and immediately spoke a lot about the team and the players. He did not make it about himself.

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Down the years, Chelsea have had some incredible big-name managers and big personalities. Jose Mourinho, Carlo Ancelotti, Antonio Conte and Thomas Tuchel to name but a few. Rosenior came from “within house” at BlueCo-owned Strasbourg, was clearly the owners’ choice and immediately spoke a lot about the team and the players. He did not make it about himself.

But since then, Rosenior has spoken so well, with such passion and authority that he has actually commanded column inches, done very good TV interviews and established himself as a personality. There has been a subtle but noticeable shift.

After away games, Rosenior goes across to the travelling Chelsea fans. Never underestimate what that means. The fans like his passion on the touchline.

Rosenior’s “respect” outburst about Arsenal this week was bizarre because so many clubs do pre-match training drills which encroach on to the opponent’s side of the pitch. Rosenior delivered a four letter blast at the Arsenal coach on Chelsea’s side of the pitch before Tuesday night’s Carabao Cup semi final as they keepers practised long kicks.

But surely that was making a wider point that Chelsea are a big club, they deserve respect and, more importantly, the Chelsea fans probably loved seeing their manager showing passion and telling a rival ‘to go and do one.’

That sort of stuff goes down well. Yes, Chelsea lost to Arsenal in the two-legged semi final. But anyone could see that they have made progress in the 28 days between the two ties.

Chelsea were depleted in the first leg and could have lost 4-1. They were outplayed. They stayed in the game in the second leg but never quite created a big chance to level it up. But they were so obviously better.

That is reflected in their results. It is six wins out of eight games in charge and the two defeats have come against Arsenal who are currently top of the Premier League table. They have won at Napoli in the Champions League, came from 2-0 down against West Ham and are really in the mix for a top four finish.

He is well-regarded as a coach, so much so that he has long been on the Football Association’s radar as one of the country’s best up-and-coming managers. He remains hugely respected at Brighton where he really cut his first teeth as a coach. It is a similar story at his other clubs.

There is no way that serious players would buy into his methods unless they respected him. He have to prove that pretty quickly on the training ground at Cobham. His sessions have been sharp, innovative and fresh.

His tactics on the pitch have reflected that. The formations have been fluid and players have been equally flexible. He is bold with his substitutions and has got results.

Rosenior has also connected with the fans. There must be an awareness on his part not to be seen as the “company man.” He has to deliver in his own right.

Interestingly, Rosenior made the front page of the latest CFCUK fanzine – with the message: “Never mind the owners – your players need you.” The fanzine was positive and optimistic.

Dave Johnstone, editor of the fanzine, said: “I gave him a copy on Thursday night at the supporters’ event as he came off stage and told him: ‘that’s for you.’ He took it and I think he knows the fans really want to see him succeed. He engages and is respectful.

“He comes from football stock, he comes across really well and he will be a great manager. We’ve got to hope that is at Chelsea. It’s so good to see a manager speak so well with his brains where they should be. The fans really liked what they heard.

“He has added a lot of credibility to himself. Everyone knows how difficult it is to manage Chelsea in the current conditions. But he’s made a very good start.”

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