Why Bristol City and Reading FC fans may be surprised at Liam Rosenior decision at Chelsea | OneFootball

Liam Rosenior is set to take former Reading and Bristol City star Kalifa Cisse with him to Chelsea as part of his coaching staff.

Liam Rosenior has been appointed by Chelsea after the Premier League giants parted company with former Leicester City boss Enzo Maresca.

The 41-year-old has largely performed well in the dugout at Strasbourg, guiding them to a seventh-place finish in Ligue 1 last term, before steering them to top spot in the league phase of this season's UEFA Conference League.

Rosenior is a familiar face among Championship supporters, following recent spells in charge of Derby County and Hull City, although he was sacked by the Tigers in 2024 when he failed to guide the Yorkshire club to a play-off spot.

The former Hull and Brighton player has been appointed by Chelsea ahead of their FA Cup third round tie with Charlton Athletic on Saturday.

Ex-Bristol City and Reading star Kalifa Cisse will join Liam Rosenior's coaching staff at Chelsea

Rosenior's move to Chelsea has attracted the attention of the footballing world, due to the Englishman's lack of managerial experience at Premier League level.

Meanwhile, Bristol City and Reading supporters may be surprised by the fact that their former player, Kalifa Cisse, is set to join Rosenior's coaching staff at Stamford Bridge, as per Ben Jacobs on X.

Cisse was a member of the 41-year-old's coaching staff at Strasbourg, but supporters of both the Robins and the Royals might never have imagined their former EFL star coaching the current Club World Cup holders.

The former Mali international also served Bristol City in a coaching capacity before joining Strasbourg in the summer of 2024.

Fewer than two years on from his Ashton Gate exit, Cisse will find himself coaching elite players such as England ace Cole Palmer and 2022 World Cup winner Enzo Fernandez.

The ex-defensive midfielder scored just two goals in 62 appearances for the Robins, in a spell which lasted from 2010 to 2012, whereas he previously notched seven goals in 83 outings for Reading from 2007 to 2010.

Chelsea developments have the potential to make Hull City look foolish

Chelsea's decision to appoint Rosenior from fellow BlueCo-owned club Strasbourg has raised eyebrows due to the fact that his only previous managerial experience in England came in the EFL with Derby and Hull.

The Tigers sacked the former Brighton defender in 2024, having missed out on the Championship playoff spots by a mere three points.

Although Hull have launched a serious top-six challenge under Sergej Jakirovic's stewardship this term, they were threatened with relegation following Rosenior's exit, and avoided the drop zone on goal difference last season.

Should the departed Strasbourg boss perform well at Premier League level with Chelsea, the Tigers hierarchy will be made to look foolish for not holding their patience.

Meanwhile, Chelsea's FA Cup clash with London rivals and Championship strugglers Charlton hands Rosenior with a big opportunity to earn his first victory at the first time of asking.

The Stamford Bridge outfit's EFL Cup semi-final battle with Premier League leaders Arsenal is a more daunting prospect for the former Hull boss, though.