Stefan Borson Suggests How Liam Rosenior’s Six-and-a-Half-Year Chelsea Deal Will Be Structured

Football finance expert Stefan Borson, former Manchester City advisor, has outlined how Chelsea's proposed six-and-a-half-year contract for incoming manager Liam Rosenior is likely structured, emphasizing the club's multi-club model advantages and incentive-based approach.

Chelsea are closing in on appointing Rosenior, 41, as their new head coach following Enzo Maresca's departure on January 1, 2026, after public criticism of the board. Rosenior, currently at Strasbourg (part of BlueCo's network), impressed in a January 5 interview and leads the race, leveraging internal scouting from the multi-club setup.

Borson explains that multi-club models enable talent promotion across clubs, including managers like Rosenior, who joined Strasbourg 18 months ago post-Hull City sacking. He told Football Insider: "It’s a core part of why you have the multi-club model. You get an opportunity to look at talent of all types."[1]

Incentive-Heavy Structure to Mitigate Risks

The deal's six-and-a-half-year length reflects Chelsea's long-term vision but incorporates safeguards. Borson predicts a low base salary with high performance incentives, mirroring player contracts. This minimizes financial exposure if Rosenior underperforms, allowing termination without massive payouts.

"Chelsea being unique in their approach, where they have highly incentivised contracts," Borson notes, enabling flexibility amid high managerial turnover. Termination fees would be low due to incentives not triggering fully early on.[2]

Strasbourg poses a minor "issue"—Chelsea may prefer they don't overperform to avoid PSR complications under blind trust rules—but Borson dismisses it: "I don’t think they’ll be too concerned if they want Rosenior."[1]

Why This Fits Chelsea's Model

• Cost Efficiency: Incentives tie pay to results, avoiding bloated fixed costs.
• Multi-Club Synergy: Proven track record at Strasbourg justifies the gamble.
• Longevity Potential: Extended term with triggers promotes stability, though critics speculate short tenure due to Chelsea's history.[3]

Borson warns of risks but praises the smart structuring, positioning Rosenior for success while protecting Chelsea financially. The deal underscores evolving Premier League finance strategies.

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