How to pronounce Liam Rosenior’s name and why you’ve been saying it wrong for years

Jan 6, 2026 - 14:15

Liam Rosenior is the new Chelsea manager, but his name isn’t pronounced the way we would all think it is.

The 41-year-old has never managed in the Premier League before, but after Enzo Maresca‘s dramatic Stamford Bridge exit, he has been drafted in as the replacement.

The Londoner has signed a five-and-a-half year contract with the Blues with the option for an extra year.

The hope is that it will be a smooth transition for Rosenior and the players because he is joining from Chelsea‘s sister club Strasbourg.

This means he has worked under similar conditions and also has a similar style of play, even if there could be a formation change.

He revealed in a goodbye press conference to the French team that this was an opportunity he couldn’t turn down.

And in a statement on the Chelsea website, he said: ‘I am extremely humbled and honoured to be appointed Head Coach of Chelsea Football Club. This is a club with a unique spirit and a proud history of winning trophies.

“My job is to protect that identity and create a team that reflects these values in every game we play as we continue winning trophies. 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.

“I believe deeply in teamwork, unity, togetherness and working for one another, and those values will be at the heart of everything we do. They will be the foundation of our success.

“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.

“I want our fans to be proud of who we are and what we represent in every single game that we play. They are the soul of this enormous, historic and huge football club.

“I cannot wait to meet you all. I cannot wait to get started.”

But one thing people in the media and Blues fans will have to get used to is the pronunciation of his name, which turns out, we’ve been saying wrong for the entirety of his time in football.

Liam Rosenior during a Strasbourg match — Rosenior’s first game will be against Charlton Athletic in the FA Cup

How to pronounce Rosenior’s name?

If you look at it in isolation, it would make sense to say Ro-seen-or.

However, talkSPORT has been informed by his father, Leroy, that isn’t how you say the family name.

Instead, it is pronounced Ro-zen-ee-or, so the ‘s’ is said as a ‘z’ instead.

It’s a subtle difference, but it could be quite confusing for people, and the Rosenior family just want to make it clear this is how to say their name.

Diego Moreira in action for Strasbourg — Rosenior’s teams are known for short and quick passes, and they like to play out from the back at all times

How to follow Charlton vs Chelsea

Rosenior’s first game in charge of the Blues will be in the FA Cup third round against Charlton Athletic.

The match is scheduled to take place on Saturday, January 10.

Kick-off at The Valley is set for 8pm.

talkSPORT will have live coverage of the match with Olly Clink serving as your host.

Commentary will come from Ian Danter and former Chelsea and Charlton defender Scott Minto.

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