Strasbourg have EFL manager lined up as Liam Rosenior replacement amid Chelsea appointment latest
Cardiff City manager Brian Barry-Murphy is a reported target for Ligue 1 club Strasbourg if Liam Rosenior leaves them to become Chelsea’s new boss.
Chelsea parted ways with Enzo Maresca on New Year’s Day, as weeks of uncertainty around his future came to a head following a meeting with the board.
Strasbourg boss Rosenior is believed to be the frontrunner for the vacant role at Stamford Bridge, with links arising because the two clubs are both currently owned by BlueCo.
Rosenior led Strasbourg to a seventh-placed Ligue 1 finish and Conference League qualification in his first season in charge, and they currently sit seventh in the French top-flight and second in the UECL table.
He could well become the new Chelsea manager soon as BlueCo target an instant appointment, but they first need to identify his replacement at Strasbourg, with Barry-Murphy touted to move to France.
Barry-Murphy was a previous target for Strasbourg and remains on their shortlist
Barry-Murphy managed Rochdale and Manchester City‘s Elite Development Squad (Under-21) before he was appointed as Cardiff’s new boss in June following their relegation to League One.
He has them on track to return to the Championship at the first time of asking as it stands, with 48 points from 23 games as they sit top of the third-tier.
According to a new report from French outlet L’Équipe, Barry-Murphy features on Strasbourg’s shortlist as a potential replacement for Rosenior if BlueCo choose him as Chelsea’s next manager.
L’Equipe reported that the Irishman was of interest to Strasbourg in July 2024 before they appointed Rosenior, so he is clearly admired by BlueCo and may well leave South Wales soon.
Chelsea Under-21 manager Calum McFarlane has also been linked to the French side along with Minnesota FC boss Eric Ramsay, while former Celtic target Kjetil Knutsen, who manages Bodo/Glimt, is another option touted to take over at Le Racing.
Who else is in the running to become Chelsea’s new manager?
Barry-Murphy’s Cardiff faced Chelsea in the Carabao Cup last month, as he faced off against Maresca, who mentored him during their time at Man City.
The Italian did not last much longer at Stamford Bridge, though, and his exit could ironically have a knock-on effect on the 47-year-old’s future as they line up a move to take Rosenior from Strasbourg.
The former Hull City boss is the frontrunner, but not Chelsea’s only option, with Xavi touted to take charge at Stamford Bridge as he continues to seek a new challenge after leaving Barcelona in 2024.
He was the favourite to take the job before concrete links to Rosenior arose, and Chelsea could also look at the likes of Marco Silva and Oliver Glasner, who are also thought to be in the running.