Born to Coach: A deep dive into Strasbourg's Liam Rosenior

Strasbourg's new English coach Liam Rosenior has always seemed destined for the dugout. Long before he kicked a ball, the former Brighton, Hull City, and Reading defender was captivated by the intricacies of tactics: a passion that has defined his career. Ahead of Strasbourg's trip to Lyon on Friday evening (20:45 CET) we take a look at the man and the ideas behind RCSA this season.

Rosenior grew up around football thanks to his father, Leroy Rosenior, a former forward for Fulham and West Ham. “When Liam was just two or three, he would listen to my football conversations while pretending to sleep and soak it all in,” recalls Leroy. By the time he was six, Liam was already fascinated by tactics. “I’m a strange guy," he admits with a laugh in an interview with L'Équipe, recalling how his kindergarten teachers suggested he attend a school for gifted children due to his early interest in logic and strategy. His first football book, which he read at nine, was by Charles Hughes, a proponent of the "kick and rush" approach. “I was against it!”

Liam’s love for football was deeply influenced by his father’s coaching philosophy, which emphasised offensive play—a challenging task in the lower leagues. “It wasn’t easy in the lower divisions,” Leroy notes, describing how he was often considered eccentric for his tactics. Liam, however, was undeterred by the unconventional path. “My parents didn’t push me towards long academic studies,” he explains, grateful for their support in letting him follow his passion for football.

Rosenior’s playing career took him through clubs like Fulham, Reading, Ipswich Town, Hull City, and Brighton, where he accumulated over 380 appearances. Despite his commitment on the pitch, his mind was always on coaching. “At every club I played for, I coached the youth teams,” he says, recalling how he was constantly seeking insights from his managers, though not all appreciated his inquisitive nature. “Some didn’t like it too much…” he adds with a smile.

The Rosenior managerial style

Liam Rosenior’s coaching style is deeply personal. "When we recruit a player, I know everything about his background, his family, and his personality," he explains, emphasising the importance of understanding each player as an individual. This approach has been well received at Strasbourg, where he took over from Patrick Vieira in July 2024.

"He talks to his players a lot, sometimes too much," jokes Kalifa Cissé, his assistant and former teammate, highlighting Rosenior’s dedication to building trust and confidence within the squad. Rosenior himself sees this as crucial: "It takes a lot of courage, intelligence, and a huge capacity for growth to meet my demands," he asserts, underscoring the high standards he sets for his players in terms of athleticism, technical quality, and pressing.

Strong culture, strong identity

Nurturing a strong team culture is at the heart of Rosenior’s strategy. "I especially want to create a culture of brotherhood among them," he explains, seeing the youthfulness of the Strasbourg squad as a significant asset rather than a weakness. His vision is to instil a hybrid style of play that adapts seamlessly to different phases of the game, always with the aim of maintaining possession and imposing their identity on the pitch.

Strasbourg earned their first win of the season last weekend against Rennes (3-1), and many will be looking at Rosenior as a manager to watch for the future in a division which is currently nurturing some of the most promising young coaches in Europe. Meanwhile, Les Alsaciens will have to look forward to a tough trip to Lyon tomorrow, where Rosenior will have to lock horns with another fellow intricate tactician in Pierre Sage. 

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