Liam Rosenior's Strasbourg successor was tipped to replace Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool

Strasbourg thrashed Avranches 6-0 in the French Cup in Gary O'Neil's first game as boss, with the former Bournemouth and Wolves manager targeting two trophies this season

Liam Rosenior is now in charge of Chelsea(Image: Getty Images)

Gary O'Neil has set his sights on winning two trophies this season after making a "perfect start" at Strasbourg.

O'Neil is best known in English soccer for representing the likes of Portsmouth and Middlesbrough in the Premier League before going on to manage Bournemouth and Wolves. The ex-midfielder is now trying to make a name for himself in France after replacing Liam Rosenior, who has become the new Chelsea boss, at Strasbourg.

But O'Neil was in the frame to replace Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool when the latter left Anfield in 2024. The job ultimately went to Arne Slot, who won the Premier League title during his first season in charge. O'Neil, meanwhile, was fired by Wolves later that year.

O'Neil is now looking to follow in Rosenior's footsteps by rebuilding his reputation in France after 13 months out of management. Strasbourg thrashed fourth-tier team Avranches 6-0 in O'Neil's opening match in charge in the French Cup.

Former Ipswich and Brighton striker Julio Enciso netted twice, whilst Joaquun Panichelli, Diego Moreira, Martial Godo, and Sebastien Nanasi also got on the scoresheet. "It was a perfect start, even if it was against an amateur side," said Millwall supporter O'Neil.

"We want to win the Coupe de France and the UEFA Europa Conference League, and finish as high as possible in the league."

Gary O'Neil was a candidate to replace Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool(Image: Jack Thomas - WWFC/Wolves via Getty Image)

Strasbourg sits seventh in Ligue 1 and topped the Conference League group stage following victories over Crystal Palace and Aberdeen. The club won the French title in 1979 and most recently lifted silverware in the now-defunct French League Cup in 2019.

O'Neil, who only replaced the new Chelsea manager on Wednesday, fielded the same starting XI from Rosenior's final match at Nice last weekend. "

It has been a bit crazy," he said. "We did not have a lot of time to prepare, but the players were very focused, very professional. I really liked their attitude. We did the job by scoring quickly and by being clinical in front of goal."

Normandy-based Avranches manager Cedric Hengbart said: "We didn't stand a chance - there was no contest. They were impressive."

Strasbourg supporters have been incensed by Rosenior's move to Chelsea, a club that is under the same ownership group: BlueCo. A planned demonstration is set for the team's next home fixture in the derby against Metz on Sunday, January 18.

O'Neil, who crossed the pitch to acknowledge the away supporters at full-time, said: "I understand them because I know what it's like to love a club more than anything.

"For me. It was Millwall when I was a kid. We wanted to show that we will give everything for them.

"I hope that they enjoyed the show, our play, because it was a long journey for them to get here. Even for us, it was not easy."