Liam Rognoll said on Tuesday he had “verbally agreed” to become the next manager of Premier League giants Chelsea, adding it was an “opportunity I couldn’t refuse”.
“It looks like I will be the next manager of this football club (Chelsea),” the Englishman told a news conference at his current club, Ligue 1 side Strasbourg.
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Little-known Ronnie Orr, 41, has been widely considered the frontrunner to replace Enzo Maresca since his sacking on Thursday, especially since both Strasbourg and Chelsea are part of the same consortium BlueCo.
The former Hull City boss, who has no Premier League coaching experience, will become Chelsea’s fourth permanent manager since BlueCo took over the Londoners in 2022.
Chelsea are yet to confirm the appointment but held talks with Ronnie Orr in London on Monday.
Ronniol said he had wanted to announce the news in person in Strasbourg because of his deep affection for the club.
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“Everything has been agreed and it will probably be done within the next few hours,” he said.
“I’m here because I care about this club and I feel it’s only right to be here today to answer your questions in person before I move on.”
Ronnie Orr had never faced the kind of media glare that awaited him in west London.
After a brief spell in charge of Brighton’s Under-23s, Ronnie Orr began his senior coaching career at Derby County in 2019, first under Phillip Cocu and then as assistant manager to Wayne Rooney.
Ronnie Orr briefly replaced Rooney in 2022 and took over as Hull City coach in the Championship later that year.
He was sacked after just 18 months in charge and appointed by Strasbourg in July 2024, leading the team to a seventh-place finish last season.
AV/BC/PI
