Chelsea’s decision to appoint Liam Rosenior as head coach has already sparked debate, and that discussion intensified after comments from John Mikel Obi on The Obi One Podcast. The former Chelsea midfielder reacted strongly to the club’s latest managerial change, which followed the decision to part ways with Enzo Maresca earlier this month, as reported by SoftFootball.
Maresca’s exit was another chapter in Chelsea’s turbulent rebuild, leaving fans anxious about whether the club’s hierarchy has learnt from recent mistakes. Rosenior’s arrival on a long-term deal until 2032 was presented by the club as a bold vote of confidence in a young coach with modern ideas.
Chelsea view him as a project manager capable of developing talent while stabilising results. However, Mikel’s reaction shows that not everyone is convinced by the vision or by Rosenior’s claims that he will operate independently of ownership influence.
On the podcast, Mikel first stressed what he believes truly matters at Chelsea in a video shared on the official X account. He framed his argument around the idea that success at Stamford Bridge has always been defined by trophies, not balance sheets. In his view, any manager must first win over supporters before anything else.
As he put it:
The number one priority for the players and fans is winning trophies. Not profits.
Mikel explained that results shape perception quickly at Chelsea, adding that a manager who loses the fans can unravel fast regardless of good intentions.
He then turned his focus directly to Rosenior, questioning whether the new coach genuinely has the authority he claims. Mikel openly challenged the idea of independence, arguing that recent Chelsea appointments follow a familiar pattern.
He said:
Is he the manager that’s coming right now again and he’s going to be the manager that they can manipulate and tell exactly what to do? Of course, that’s what it is.
He went further, leaving no room for doubt:
Of course, he can say as much as he wants to say that he’s not. 1,000%, he is that guy that they will tell him exactly what to do. There’s no question about it.
Watch the video below:
Mikel grouped Rosenior with other young coaches who accept the structure because of the opportunity it offers.
He said, referencing Maresca as a recent example:
They’re all the same, these coaches, these young coaches, because they know exactly what they’re signing up for.
Despite acknowledging investors’ desire for profit, Mikel ended with a clear warning that Chelsea must never lose its identity, insisting the culture of the club should always come back to one thing, which is winning.
