This is the ‘real reason’ Chelsea handed Liam Rosenior six-and-a-half year deal
Liam Rosenior will have pushed for a long contract at Chelsea in order to agree a deal to become the club’s next manager.
That is according to football finance expert Dr Dan Plumley, who has exclusively told Football Insider the two reasons why Rosenior would have been handed a six-and-a-half year contract.
Rosenior was appointed Chelsea manager, joining the club from Strasbourg, following the departure of Enzo Maresca.
Doubts have been raised about Rosenior’s managerial capabilities, with the 41-year-old never having managed in the Premier League before.
Liam Rosenior given ‘security’ by long contract
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, Plumley believes the long contract length will benefit both Rosenior and the club.
“I think this is kind of a little bit symptomatic of where the market’s at for managers with big clubs at the minute,” Plumley said.
“And I guess what I mean by that is there are a couple of things from both sides that we have to consider. I think a club needs to be seen to give long contracts because it fits that narrative of we’ve got to give a new manager time, be able to build, we’ve got to plan for the long term.
“But the other side of that from the manager’s perspective is it gives them a little bit of security, particularly in the compensation aspect, to know that even if it’s unlikely, they will see out the end of that contract.
“And we’ve seen plenty of managers that, you know, even at Chelsea as an example, the average is probably more like a year to eighteen months at the minute.
“So it is built in to give the manager security, and they’ll be pushing for longer contracts as part of that. And then you’ve got the club obviously saying we’re building. And I just think we’re seeing more and more of these longer-term manager contracts for those two reasons.
“And, you know, ultimately, they benefit both parties in different ways. But it keeps the way deals are being structured at the minute.”
Chelsea target new centre-back
Rosenior will waste no time wanting to add to his Chelsea squad, with the January transfer window open for business.
Chelsea are tracking Tromso defender Abubacarr Sedi Kinteh, with the 19-year-old gaining interest from a number of European clubs.
The Gambian international is regarded as one of the top talents in his age group, and Chelsea have a habit of buying young players over the last few seasons.