Liam Rosenior’s humiliating exit has angered Strasbourg supporters, who said it demonstrated the French club’s subservience to Chelsea under BlueCo. Ultras, who already boycott the opening of games in protest of multi-club ownership, are now threatening greater demonstrations at the Alsace club’s upcoming home game.
In June 2023, the Chelsea owners paid €75 million to acquire Racing Club Strasbourg, and in July 2024, Rosenior took over for the legendary Patrick Viera of Arsenal. He signed a new three-year deal in April of last year after leading the Alsace club to seventh place with the youngest team in the top five leagues in Europe, with every outfield player under 23 in a single game.
However, despite spending €100 million during the summer, Racing supporters were already upset about their team being utilised as a reserve team and a testing ground for new players. After losing five Ligue 1 games, BlueCo have now done the same to their head coach.
Liam Rosenior to Chelsea leads to anger and further protests
The transfer of Liam Rosenior marks another humiliating step in Racing’s subservience to Chelsea, the Federation of RC Strasbourg Supporters Club said on X today. We have been working with others to raise awareness of this for the past 2.5 years.
“The issue extends well beyond a rookie coach’s aspirations and the mid-season sports impact. The future of French club football is in jeopardy because it is structural.
“The amazing effort done before 2023 is insulted by every extra minute Marc Keller spends leading the team and every extra contortion he does. What many considered to be a ridiculous decision in September of last year now appears to be wise counsel: he has to depart immediately.
The first of Europe’s “Big Five” leagues to launch a direct-to-consumer (DTC) streaming service this season is Ligue 1, and Strasbourg maintains that BlueCo’s ownership has provided them with protection. Additionally, they have access to some of the world’s most promising young talents. This season, Strasbourg won the UEFA Conference League group stage, and Mike Penders and Kendry Paez are on loan from Chelsea.
