Rosenior Defiant After Criticism Despite Chelsea Success

‎Liam Rosenior has addressed the ridicule he has faced since becoming Chelsea’s head coach, admitting he anticipated the backlash.

‎He revealed that the criticism has taken a toll on his family. Despite this, the 41-year-old spoke with honesty and optimism about handling the pressure.

‎Rosenior emphasised that negative comments about his personality, appearance, or coaching background will not stop him from doing his job.

‎Despite starting his tenure with seven wins in nine matches and guiding Chelsea into the Champions League last 16, the criticism of Rosenior has not eased. He has been nicknamed “LinkedIn Liam” for some of his quotes, likened to David Brent for his mannerisms, and mocked for a recent miscontrol of the ball during the defeat to Arsenal.

‎The scrutiny surrounding the former Strasbourg manager has been relentless.

‎“The reason I know this is that I’ve got teenage children,” Rosenior said before Tuesday night’s home game against Leeds. “They’re on social media. It affects them. It affects my parents, it affects my family. But I knew that walking into this job it was going to happen. It’s normal.

‎“When you’re prepared for it, it makes you smile. I’m a confident person. And if you’re affected by things like that you shouldn’t be in this job. There’s no way you can do this job if you’re affected negatively by it.

‎”I quite enjoy it, to be honest. I didn’t help myself with my first touch at Arsenal. But that comes with the territory. I’m enjoying the job.

‎”And I know in time people will start judging me on what they see on the pitch, which is the most important thing.”

‎Asked why he had expected it, he said, “Maybe my background and my coaching and being at a club the size of this is different. It’s different. I’m not a massive name.

‎’I’m from a different type of club and have a different type of character.”

‎Rosenior had roles at Derby and Hull before moving to France to manage Strasbourg. He considered suggestions that the mockery feels different. “I don’t know if you’re trying to lead me to say anything,” he said.

‎“It doesn’t affect me. I’ve been prepared to do this job for years, for decades, and I knew what would come with it. And it actually doesn’t affect me at all, because I know the focus is on doing the job and enjoying it.

‎“I love this job. I’m enjoying it. I’m not afraid to be myself. If I wear glasses, if I sound a little bit over the top when I speak, or articulate myself in a certain way, or I don’t look like a manager, it doesn’t bother me at all.”

‎It was put to Rosenior that it seems weird for there to be such a negative response to a young English manager showing promise in a big job.

‎“Yeah, I agree with what you’re saying. Erm, I’ll leave it at that.”

‎Asked whether he put it down to British culture, ­Rosenior said, “I’m not going to go into that. People make their own judgments on people before they meet them. That’s part of life.”

‎Rosenior is hopeful that Reece James will be available to face Leeds after the captain missed the matches against Arsenal and Wolves due to a minor knock and feeling unwell on Monday.

‎Andrey Santos is also in contention to play, having recovered after being forced off with a sore ankle during Saturday’s 3-1 win over Wolves.