Liam Rosenior has been announced as Chelsea's new head coach on a contract until 2031 with an option for a further year.
The Strasbourg manager admitted at a surprise press conference in France this morning that he had agreed verbally to take over the Premier League club, with his appointment now confirmed.
Rosenior is expected to board a private jet from Strasbourg landing at Farnborough Airport imminently ahead of his official unveiling.
The 41-year-old's first game in charge of the Blues will come in the FA Cup on Saturday against Charlton Athletic, with caretaker manager Calum MacFarlane overseeing Wednesday evening's West London derby against Fulham.
Rosenior said in a statement released by Chelsea on Tuesday morning: '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.'
The former Hull City manager will bring his two assistants Kalifa Cisse and Justin Walker with him to Stamford Bridge.
Strasbourg president Marc Keller fought hard to keep the Englishman in position, but ultimately failed.
He joins a growing list of stars to move between BlueCo-owned clubs Strasbourg and Chelsea, with both Julio Enciso and Ben Chilwell swapping Stamford Bridge for the Stade de la Meinau last summer alone.
It's something the Strasbourg Supporters' Federation have this morning raised alarm about in a statement criticising Rosenior's departure.
It read: 'The transfer of Liam Rosenior marks another humiliating step in Racing's subservience to Chelsea. For two and a half years, along with others, we have been trying to raise the alarm about this.
'The problem goes far beyond the mid-season sporting impact and the ambitions of a young coach. It is structural; the future of French club football is at stake.
'Every additional contortion by Marc Keller, every extra minute spent at the helm of the club, is an insult to the tremendous work accomplished before 2023. What was seen by many as an outrageous move last September increasingly looks like sound advice: he must leave. Now.
'The FSRCS will coordinate closely with the three other associations actively fighting against multiple ownership, as well as all people of goodwill, to define the next steps.'
Rosenior held a surprise press conference this morning to say goodbye to Strasbourg and the club's fans.
It is highly unusual for a manager leaving one club for another to hold a media briefing before all has been confirmed, but Rosenior explained he felt it was appropriate, and that he decided to do this presser out of respect to Strasbourg.
He said: ‘On Saturday, I didn't know what was going to happen. What has happened since is that I have been allowed to speak with one of the biggest clubs in the world.
‘Now, on this day, it looks like I'm going to be the next manager of that football club. This opportunity for me is something that I cannot turn down in my life right now.
‘They have an incredible squad, an incredible fanbase and they are Club World Cup champions.
‘I haven't signed yet, I've agreed verbally with Chelsea. Everything is agreed, it will probably go through in the next few hours. I'm here because I care about this club and I thought it was important to answer your questions before I go on with the next stage of my career.’
Rosenior fronted up, answering every question asked on Strasbourg, including when reporters asked him several times if Chelsea taking their sister side’s head coach was ‘disrespectful’.
He said: ‘It's the opposite. It shows huge respect, not for the work that I've done but that the club has done. Chelsea could pick any coach they want in the world. I'm emotional. This is my last day, the last time, that I wake up as Strasbourg manager.’
Rosenior travelled to London on Sunday to discuss taking over Chelsea, who were playing out a 1-1 draw away at Manchester City at the time, and was accompanied by Keller and Strasbourg sporting director David Weir.
‘Yesterday we sat together for seven hours in different meetings and most of the conversations were about how we can strengthen this team from Chelsea,’ Rosenior said, amid accusations that Strasbourg are only there to benefit the Blues. ‘The narrative that this project is for the interest of only one club and I think in time, I will be proven right.’
Asked whether he is ready to manage Chelsea, Rosenior said: 'If I didn't think I was ready, I would not have accepted the job.’
The move to Chelsea will also allow Rosenior to be reunited with his family, which he said played a big part in deciding to leave Strasbourg.
