‘He hasn't managed any top club’ - Mikel Obi doubts Chelsea’s appointment of Rosenior
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Mikel Obi doubts Chelsea’s appointment of Rosenior || Imago

‘He hasn't managed any top club’ - Mikel Obi doubts Chelsea’s appointment of Rosenior

Stephen Oladehinde 11:12 - 09.01.2026

Super Eagles legend John Mikel Obi has cast doubt on the appointment of Liam Rosenior by Chelsea.

The Blues recently sacked Enzo Maresca after calling out the Chelsea board during his press conference.

The Italian complained of the transfer policy and other tangibles not being met following his tenure as the Chelsea manager.

Following his sacking, Chelsea's ownership, BlueCo, moved quickly to appoint Liam Rosenior, who was managing their sister club, Strasbourg. 

Mikel Obi reacts to Rosenior's appointment

Despite Rosenior's previous experience at Derby County and Hull City, Mikel questioned whether the 41-year-old is qualified for a job of Chelsea's magnitude.

MIkel Obi  || X
MIkel Obi || X

"Does his CV match the football club he's coming to manage? Definitely not, because he hasn't managed any top football club," Mikel asserted. "It's a different ball game at Chelsea, one of the biggest clubs in the world."

Mikel raised concerns about how Rosenior will command respect in a dressing room filled with world-class talent. 

Chelsea's new manager Rosenior || X
Chelsea's new manager Rosenior || X

"How does he manage a World Cup winner like Enzo Fernandez, or world-class players like Moises Caicedo, Reece James? How does he win the fans over? Because if they're not happy, they'll turn on you."

While acknowledging the significance of a young Black manager getting a top opportunity, Mikel was blunt in his assessment. 

"He can say as much as he wants, but he's the guy the board will manipulate and dictate what to do... It's an opportunity for a black young manager, that's good, but it doesn't qualify you to get a job at Chelsea. It's a mess."