Liam James Rosenior (born 9 July 1984) is an English professional football manager and former player who is the current head coach of Ligue 1 club Strasbourg.
Rosenior made his debut for Fulham on 22 September 2004 in a League Cup game away to Boston United, being sent off in the last minute of a 4–1 win for diving in the hope of winning a penalty.[9] He made his league debut for Fulham on 13 December in a 1–1 home draw with Manchester United, earning the Sky Sports Man of the Match award.[10] On 7 May 2005, his season ended with another dismissal in a 3–1 win at Blackburn Rovers for pushing Robbie Savage in response to the Welshman's foul on Luís Boa Morte.[11]
Rosenior scored once for Fulham, in a League Cup tie against Lincoln City at Craven Cottage on 21 September 2005, netting in extra time of a 5–4 win.[12] He signed a four-year extension to his Fulham contract in July 2006.[13]
Reading
Rosenior joined fellow Premier League team Reading on 31 August 2007 for an undisclosed fee on a three-year contract, with Seol Ki-Hyeon going the other way.[14] His debut for Reading came in a 2–1 defeat to Sunderland on 15 September,[15] and he scored his first goal for Reading in a 7–4 defeat to Portsmouth two weeks later, although it was initially awarded to Stephen Hunt.[16]
On 2 September 2009, Rosenior joined Championship club Ipswich Town on loan for the remainder of 2009–10 season, under manager Roy Keane.[17] He scored once in 31 games for the Portman Road club, equalising in a 2–1 loss at Barnsley on 3 October.[18]
On 29 October 2010, Rosenior joined Hull City on a short-term agreement until 1 January 2011.[19] He made his debut the following day in the away match at Barnsley.[20] He signed a 2+1⁄2-year deal with Hull on 21 December 2010. Saying "I'm delighted, It's something that we kind of half agreed when I first came here, but it relied on the takeover being completed for me to stay."[21]
On 22 March 2014, Rosenior scored his only goal for Hull City when heading the rebound in from a Nikica Jelavić penalty that was saved by West Bromwich Albion goalkeeper Ben Foster.[22] On 17 May 2014, he started in the 2014 FA Cup final against Arsenal.[23]
On 28 May 2015, Hull City released Rosenior and five other players who were out of contract at the end of the 2014–15 season.[24]
Brighton & Hove Albion
On 23 June 2015, Rosenior signed for Brighton & Hove Albion on a three-year deal following his release from Hull City.[25] He retired from playing on 30 July 2018.
International career
Rosenior was born in England, and is of Sierra Leonean descent through his father, Leroy Rosenior, who was an international footballer for Sierra Leone.[26] Rosenior was called up to the England U21 squad in March 2005, and made his debut in a 2–2 draw with Germany U21 on 25 March 2005,[27] closely followed by a second cap in a 2–0 win over Azerbaijan U21 on 29 March 2005[28] His performances earned him a call up to the England U20 squad for the Toulon Tournament in June 2005, where he played three times and scored one goal.[29]
However, it would be over a year and a half before he would add to his England U21 caps, with the next one coming against Netherlands U21 on 14 November 2006.[30] Rosenior made it into the squad for the 2007 UEFA European Under-21 Championship, but only made one appearance, as a substitute in the semi-final against Holland U21.[31] He took part in the shootout in this game, scoring his penalty as England lost 13–12. Due to his age, this would prove to be his seventh and last appearance for the England U21 team.
Coaching career
Brighton & Hove Albion
Following his retirement from playing, Rosenior remained at Brighton, taking up the position of assistant coach with Brighton's under-23 team, which he combined with appearing as a pundit on Sky Sports.[32]
Derby County
On 10 July 2019, Rosenior was appointed as specialist first team coach to Phillip Cocu at Derby County.[33][34] He was appointed assistant manager of the club on 15 January 2021 following the appointment of Wayne Rooney as manager.[35]
Following Rooney's resignation on 24 June 2022, Rosenior took over as interim manager.[36] He was relieved of his duties as manager on 21 September 2022 while still employed by the club as Derby sought a permanent manager.[37] Following the appointment of Paul Warne, Rosenior left the club.[38]
Hull City
On 3 November 2022, Rosenior was appointed head coach at Hull City on a two-and-a-half-year deal, returning to the club where he made 161 appearances between 2010 and 2015.[39]
On 17 December 2023, Hull City announced that Rosenior had signed a new three-year contract, keeping him at the club until 2026.[40]
In April 2024, Rosenior suffered racist abuse after being nominated for the EFL Championship Manager of the Season award.[41][42]
On 7 May 2024, after a seventh-place finish for Hull City caused the team to narrowly miss out on the play-offs, Rosenior was sacked.[43] Hull City owner, Acun Ilicali said that Rosenior had been sacked over a difference on football philosophy between the two with Ilicali wanting attacking football and Rosenior unable to offer that as a manager.[44]
Strasbourg
On 25 July 2024, Rosenior was appointed as the new head coach of Ligue 1 club Strasbourg, joining the BlueCo club on a three-year deal. He replaced Patrick Vieira, who had left by mutual consent after finishing 13th.[45] Rosenior's debut on 18 August saw him field the French top flight's first starting XI in which all outfield players were under 23, in a 1–1 draw at Montpellier.[46]
^"Tigers Bring In Rosenior". Tigers Official Website. Hull City A.F.C. 29 October 2010. Archived from the original on 29 March 2012. Retrieved 10 June 2013.
^"Barnsley 1–1 Hull". BBC Sport. BBC. 30 October 2010. Retrieved 30 October 2010.
