Next Chelsea manager update as Liam Rosenior twist emerges with replacement identified

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Strasbourg are bracing themselves for the prospect of Liam Rosenior's departure to Chelsea with a shortlist of possible replacements emerging

Strasbourg have drawn up a shortlist of replacements for Liam Rosenior should the 41-year-old leave the club and join Chelsea, according to reports in France.

Rosenior is one of the favourites to replace Enzo Maresca following the Italian's abrupt sacking on Thursday. The Italian parted ways with the Blues just two days after the 2-2 draw with AFC Bournemouth.

Strasbourg are, like Chelsea, owned by BlueCo and football.london understands that Rosenior's time at Stade de la Meinau has impressed chiefs. He led the club to the Conference League last season and has recorded eye-catching wins over Paris Saint-Germain, Marseille and Crystal Palace.

According to L'Equipe, Strasbourg are putting plans in place in case Rosenior leaves the club, with several names on their shortlist. Cardiff City's Brian Barry-Murphy, who won Premier League 2 with Manchester City, is one on their radar, alongside Chelsea Under-21 boss Callum McFarlane, who is expected to lead the Blues against Manchester City this weekend.

The report states that Minnesota FC boss Eric Ramsay, who coached the Chelsea academy between 2019 and 2021, is also under consideration. Bodo/Glimt's Kjetil Knutsen and Porto's Francesco Farioli have also been mentioned.

Strasbourg are currently seventh in Ligue 1 after winning seven of their first 16 games. They are also top of the Conference League table after winning all-but-one of their six league phase fixtures last year.

Rosenior emerged as the obvious candidate to replace Maresca due to his work in France. Moves for Marseille's Roberto De Zerbi and Cesc Fabregas have both been played down, with Crystal Palace's Oliver Glasner understood not to be on their list of candidates.

Should Rosenior join Chelsea, Strasbourg are expected to move quickly with a busy January ahead. The French side are in action on Saturday evening against OGC Nice before taking on Avranches, Metz, Lille and PSG in the next month.

Barry-Murphy has impressed figures in the football industry with his early work at Cardiff. The Bluebirds are top of League One following their relegation from the Championship and ran Chelsea close in an EFL Cup quarter-final before Christmas.

The Irishman spent the second half of last season as Ruud van Nistelrooy's assistant manager at Leicester City. Last week, reports suggested that the 47-year-old was one of the names on Wolves' radar should they sack Rob Edwards in the near future.