Soccer clubs have always known that when a player or coach leaves in sudden or unexpected circumstances, it’s critical to win the public relations battle.
Often, it doesn’t take much to convince fans, whose true loyalty always rests with their team, to disown an individual.
In the situation with Enzo Maresca and Chelsea, the need for a drawn-out public battle seemed minimal.
Despite two trophies in 18 months, Maresca failed to win over Chelsea fans.
His sudden departure, mid-season, likely won’t upset too many Blues supporters. Unlike the exits of Jose Mourinho or Roberto Di Matteo, this change doesn’t seem poised to generate major dissent.
With Maresca gone, attention now turns to his replacement, who is already under pressure. Fans rarely like it when a manager’s background is tied to a bitter rival—especially one, like Fulham, perceived as beneath Chelsea’s standing.
Rosenior’s thin top-level record makes him a controversial appointment for Chelsea.
His move from Strasbourg, within the same ownership group, fuels criticism that Chelsea chose comfort over ambition.
Despite questions about his credentials, in his first statements as Chelsea boss, Rosenior at least said the right things.
“My job is to protect that identity and create a team that reflects these values in every game we play as we continue winning trophies,” he wrote.
“To be entrusted with this role means the world to me and I want to thank all involved for the opportunity and faith in undertaking this job. I will give everything to bring the success this club deserves,
“I believe deeply in teamwork, unity, togetherness and working for one another, and those values will be at the heart of everything we do. They will be the foundation of our success.
“I am excited to work with this extremely talented group of players and staff, to build strong connections on and off the pitch, and to create an environment where everyone feels united and driven by the same goal.
“I want our fans to be proud of who we are and what we represent in every single game that we play. They are the soul of this enormous, historic and huge football club.”
Still, as Guardian columnist Jacob Steinberg pointed out, Rosenior will need to hit the ground running to avoid becoming a lightning rod for anger at the direction the club’s leadership is taking.
“Already there is a sense of dissatisfaction,” he wrote. “A lot of fans are unhappy about how the club has been run under the Todd Boehly-Clearlake Capital ownership and it is a worry that Rosenior finds himself in the unfortunate position of being perceived by some as a yes man who is getting the job only because his bosses know he will do as he is told.
As much was suggested prior to Rosenior getting the job by former Blues winger Pat Nevin on BBC Sport.
The Scotsman suggested Chelsea would “get someone in who is young and easy to manipulate.”
Adding: “Chelsea need someone who is going to buy into the methodology. Another way to say that is, you need a puppet. Someone who does exactly what they are told from above.”
It is a really difficult situation for a coach whose background includes managing in France, but not in the English top flight, and who has only recently stepped up from assistant roles at clubs like Derby County.
Rosenior is perceived as weak and undermined before his first day.
Being seen as a yes man undercuts authority and risks rash responses to prove otherwise.
As Steinberg suggests, the only antidote to this predicament is immediate and clear improvement, which, given Chelsea were performing at the level their squad is capable of, is not the easiest of tasks.
Perhaps Rosenior can get more from the players, but the challenge is significant: achieving the kind of improvement needed to quell fan dissent will be no small feat.
That said, not everyone shares such a negative outlook regarding Rosenior’s chances of success.
Former Manchester United defender Phil Jones has watched Rosenior’s training sessions at Strasbourg and told the BBC he was impressed. “I was really impressed with the way he spoke with the players, the meetings, the way he sees the game.
“He is passionate and is not afraid to make big decisions.
“They went to Paris St-Germain and went man-to-man all over the pitch and got a result – a 3-3 draw at Parc des Princes. Chelsea fans may want a sexier name, but he has done a good job, and it is an opportunity too good to turn down.”
Former England striker Wayne Rooney, who appointed Rosenior as his assistant manager at Derby County, said he was “as good a coach as I have worked with.”
These endorsements offer some cover, but do not erase concerns over his inexperience.
There is no other option for the new manager but to deliver success as soon as possible.
