Strasbourg manager Liam Rosenior has emerged as the top candidate to replace Enzo Maresca as Chelsea head coach after the club decided to part ways with the Italian following a breakdown in relations with the hierarchy and poor league form.
Reports say Chelsea’s owners, BlueCo, view Rosenior favourably because of his modern coaching style, communication skills and record of developing young players, and are already holding internal talks about moving for him.
Rosenior currently manages Strasbourg, another club owned by BlueCo, which is seen as an advantage because he already works within the group’s multi club structure and long term project model.
Under his watch, Strasbourg have shown progress in performances and player development in Ligue 1, boosting his reputation as a coach who can build competitive teams around emerging talents.
Enzo Maresca left Chelsea after less than a season in charge, amid reports of disputes over player fitness with medical staff and a poor Premier League run that yielded only one win in seven games despite earlier trophy success.
Chelsea have appointed an interim from within to handle the next match while they assess Rosenior and a small shortlist of alternative candidates, but most reports describe him as the clear frontrunner.
About the author
Thugs injure 10 PDP members in Ebonyi, as party seeks security probe
At least 10 members of the Peoples Democratic Party were injured after hoodlums attacked a political gathering in Ikwuator Idembia, Ezza South Local Government Area of Ebonyi State. The party has called for a security probe into the incident, while the APC has denied involvement. The attack reportedly occurred during a rally organised to welcome former APC member Ifeanyi Nworie into the PDP. Eyewitnesses said the event, first planned for a village square, was disrupted and later moved to Nworie’s private residence, where the assailants allegedly followed and attacked participants. Witnesses said chairs, canopies, a public address system and other property were damaged during the attack. Journalists covering the event were also reportedly assaulted on their way to the venue, with some alleging that their vehicle was targeted and nearly vandalised. The Ebonyi PDP condemned the attack, saying it was […]
How many African countries will qualify for Women’s World Cup through WAFCON?
The 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco will decide Africa’s route to the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.punchng+2 The four semifinalists at WAFCON will qualify automatically for the World Cup. The two losing quarter-finalists with the best tournament records will move on to the FIFA inter-confederation playoffs, where they will try to secure the continent’s remaining spots. That means Africa is guaranteed at least four World Cup teams, and could have as many as six if both playoff representatives qualify. The tournament features 16 teams in four groups, with the top two from each group advancing to the quarter-finals.
Tinubu’s administration ‘lying with statistics’ over economy, says Atiku
The former vice president said no amount of statistical presentation or creative accounting can hide what he described as the worsening state of the economy under President Bola Tinubu. In a statement issued through his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku dismissed comments defending the administration’s reforms, including fuel subsidy removal, debt management and workers’ welfare initiatives. He argued that the government’s claim that subsidy savings are being used to reduce debt is contradicted by borrowing figures he said show federal exposure to the Central Bank of Nigeria rising sharply. Atiku said the Federal Government’s debt to the CBN rose from about ₦26.9tn in May 2023 to over ₦40.38tn by May 2026, describing the move as debt restructuring rather than debt repayment. He also said workers are yet to feel the benefits of subsidy savings, alleging that […]
Popular Juju singer Saint Janet is dead
The Nigerian entertainment industry is in mourning after the death of veteran Juju and Highlife singer Saint Janet, whose passing was announced on Sunday. According to publisher and socialite Otunba Femi Davies, Saint Janet died on Saturday after a brief illness. He described her as a popular performer known for her vibrant live shows, energetic stage presence and socially unfiltered party tracks. Saint Janet, born Iyun Janet Ajilore, was widely celebrated for her distinctive style and lively performances, which earned her a loyal following in Nigeria’s Juju music scene and beyond. As of the time of reporting, funeral arrangements had not been announced
US introduces $20,000 visa bond for Nigerians, others over overstay concerns
The United States says the new rule is aimed at curbing visa overstays and improving compliance among visitors from countries flagged for high overstay rates and weak identity or document verification systems. Under the policy, consular officers will decide whether an applicant must post a refundable bond of $10,000, $15,000 or $20,000, depending on factors such as travel purpose, employment, income and ties to the home country. The bond will be refunded without interest if the visitor leaves the US within the approved period and complies with visa conditions, but it will be forfeited if the holder overstays or violates the terms of the visa. The policy formalises and expands a pilot programme launched in August 2025, which the US State Department says showed a sharp drop in overstays among affected applicants. It also said the pilot reduced demand significantly, […]
Flooding hits communities in four Yobe LGAs as SEMA begins assessment
Following heavy rainfall, floodwaters have submerged homes and farmlands in several Yobe communities, prompting SEMA to activate rapid assessment teams and pledge urgent life‑saving support and protection for affected residents. SEMA said its field team has been deployed to the flooded areas to conduct a detailed on‑the‑spot assessment of the damage, noting that no lives had been reported lost at the time of its initial statement. The agency stressed that the Yobe government has committed to providing immediate relief, including emergency shelter, food and basic services, once the assessment is completed. Officials explained that the assessment will cover households, critical infrastructure and farmlands across the four impacted LGAs, building on earlier flood‑preparedness measures such as real‑time river monitoring and digital community reporting platforms in high‑risk zones. Local Government Early Warning and Action Committees, already activated and trained, are working with […]
Related
How many African countries will qualify for Women’s World Cup through WAFCON?
The 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco will decide Africa’s route to the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.punchng+2 The four semifinalists at WAFCON will qualify automatically for the World Cup. The two losing quarter-finalists with the best tournament records will move on to the FIFA inter-confederation playoffs, where they will try to secure the continent’s remaining spots. That means Africa is guaranteed at least four World Cup teams, and could have as many as six if both playoff representatives qualify. The tournament features 16 teams in four groups, with the top two from each group advancing to the quarter-finals.
World Cup must be kept out of private hands – Chelsea manager Alonso
Alonso backs UEFA’s opposition to FIFA’s plan to create a commercial subsidiary for the World Cup and allow private investors to acquire stakes, warning it could undermine the sport’s authenticity. Speaking in Sydney, where Chelsea are on a pre-season tour, the Spanish World Cup winner said: “I think that football has to be for the people, not in private hands.” He added that fans love the game because it is for everyone, and that some things about the World Cup should stay the same to preserve its emotions and passion. European football’s governing body UEFA has said it is ready to boycott the World Cup over the proposal, arguing the sport “cannot be dictated by the expectations of those whose first duty is to maximise financial return.” FIFA, however, has vowed to press ahead with an “open and democratic” consultation, […]
Commonwealth Games: Amusan storms into 100m hurdles final
Tobi Amusan delivered a commanding run in the opening semifinal, clocking a wind‑assisted 12.19 seconds to top the field and book her place in Thursday’s final. The former world champion finished comfortably ahead of South Africa’s Marione Fourie (12.50s) and Jamaica’s Kerrica Hill (12.69s) in her heat. Although Amusan’s time is the fastest ever recorded in the event at the Commonwealth Games, it will not count as a Games record because it was aided by a +3.8m/s tailwind, above the legal +2.0m/s limit for record purposes. Amusan looked in complete control throughout the race, pulling away from the pack to secure automatic qualification for the final later on Thursday. A victory in the final would add the Commonwealth Games women’s 100m hurdles title to her collection of international honours and further cement her status as one of the world’s leading […]
FIFA issues deadline to members over plan to sell $4 bn stake
FIFA has given member associations until September 19 to support a plan that would sell a stake in its major competitions, with each member reportedly set to receive $40 million if the proposal goes through.supersport+1 According to reports, FIFA wants to create a new company to run its biggest events, including the World Cup and Club World Cup, and then sell up to 20 or 21 percent of the business to private investors. The move could generate about $4.2 billion, while a broader funding package tied to the project could rise to $10 billion.reuters+4 FIFA president Gianni Infantino has reportedly told member associations that they must decide by September 19 if they want to benefit from the payout. If approved, the plan would represent one of FIFA’s biggest commercial shifts in recent years and could reshape how the body funds […]
Real Madrid in negotiations to buy Leipzig’s Diomande, source reveals
Real Madrid have opened talks with RB Leipzig over a move for Ivorian winger Yan Diomande, according to a source at the German club. The source told AFP that negotiations between both clubs are ongoing, with Real Madrid pushing to complete one of the summer’s biggest transfers. ESPN reported that Madrid expect to finish a deal in the coming hours, while other reports say Leipzig had earlier rejected an opening bid before fresh talks resumed. Diomande, 19, is understood to have given the green light to a move to the Spanish giants, and Madrid are said to have raised their offer to around €120 million including bonuses. Leipzig, however, is reportedly holding out for a fee closer to €130 million, and the German club has also considered keeping him for another season on loan.sports.yahoo+2 The Ivorian winger has attracted interest […]
Infantino slams World Cup critics for spreading hate
In an open letter and a long Instagram post shared after the tournament, Infantino said detractors were “consumed by hate and criticism” and had ignored the joy and togetherness experienced by supporters around the world. He described the World Cup, hosted across the United States, Canada and Mexico, as “the greatest show on earth” and “the most outstanding” edition in history. “To those behind their pens and papers, behind their screens spreading hate and false rumours, I want to say that while you are sitting behind, we at FIFA are on the front lines organising, working hard, and delivering the best show in the world,” Infantino wrote. He accused some commentators of “planting seeds of hate” instead of acknowledging what he called a tournament of unity, safety and inclusion. Infantino urged critics to “find love and peace,” suggesting they should […]