Why Liam Rosenior isn't taking charge of Chelsea vs Fulham and first game he'll manage

Liam Rosenior was named Chelsea's new head coach ahead of their Premier League clash with Fulham

Chelsea have confirmed Liam Rosenior as their new head coach, but he will not be in the dugout for the club's next game. The Blues are preparing to face Fulham at Craven Cottage on Wednesday evening.

The 41-year-old's switch from Strasbourg was announced on Tuesday, with the manager penning a six-and-a-half-year contract. Rosenior made his way to the club's Cobham training ground to complete the move, but he will not take control of the team until after the Fulham game.

It's been a hectic period for Chelsea, who revealed that Enzo Maresca had left his head coach position on New Year's Day. The club's U21 manager Calum McFarlane has subsequently taken temporary charge of the senior side and steered Chelsea to a 1-1 draw at Manchester City on Sunday.

During his pre-match media briefing on Tuesday, McFarlane revealed when Rosenior would start his new job: "I spoke to Liam briefly last night and he's really excited to take the role. It was a brief conversation and I understand he will be at Cobham later today [Tuesday], so I'm sure I will catch up with him more on that.

"I've been told I am leading the game tomorrow, and we will try to do the best job, as we have done, and give him the three points to take and then build on."

While he will not be in the Chelsea technical area, Rosenior is expected to be in attendance when his new team face Fulham, a club where he spent nearly four years as a player. The English manager is set to oversee his first training session on Thursday before the team's FA Cup fixture at Charlton Athletic on Saturday.

The club chose to appoint Rosenior as Maresca's replacement following his work in France. The incoming Chelsea manager guided Strasbourg, who are also under BlueCo ownership, to seventh place in Ligue 1 last term.

Strasbourg currently sit in the same position in the league table and finished top of the Europa Conference League group stage standings. Throughout his time at the French club, Rosenior worked with several players who have links to Chelsea, including Ben Chilwell, Kendry Paez and Mamadou Sarr.

Following his appointment as Chelsea head coach, Rosenior said: "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."

He continued: "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.

"There is a real hunger to win, and I will give everything, every single day, to help this team compete and win at the very highest level to make everyone connected and proud to be a part of Chelsea Football Club."

Meanwhile, Chelsea's immediate priority will be securing a win against Fulham. A disappointing spell has seen the club slip out of the top four, now trailing Liverpool by three points and drawing level with Manchester United.

Before the Fulham clash, McFarlane confirmed that Robert Sanchez, Wesley Fofana and Marc Cucurella had all returned to training. The Blues will also have Moises Caicedo available again following his suspension when they visit Craven Cottage.