The idea that Acun appointed Rosenior to pander to the fan base seems so far fetched to me. It looked to me that the majority seemed unsure of the appointment anyway, also talks where held with multiple managers with decent credentials and a Turkish Businessman would 100% choose the guy he thought would have the best chance of success. So for me, credit to Rosie for beating out the opposition and credit to Acun for going with who he feels is right for the club. Its always risky appointing a manager and you just have to hope the fit is right, Im pleased we have chose to put faith in a bright young hungry manager!
This is a newspaper article from when he looked to be getting the Blackpool job, a good insight in to the type of philosophy we can expect on and off the pitch. Blackpool are on the hunt for a new Head Coach and Derby County assistant Liam Rosenior is set to take the role, according to reports. The 37-year-old has been linked with the vacancy with reporter Aidan McCartney suggesting a deal is 'close' and now reports via Alan Nixon's Patreon suggest he will be the next man in charge. Following Neil Critchley's shock departure to Aston Villa as Assistant Head Coach, it's understood Cheltenham Town boss Michael Duff was interviewed for the role alongside ex-Lincoln City boss Michael Appleton. Bolton Wanderers boss Ian Evatt has also been linked with the role but Bolton News report no official approach was made and it's understood a move was always unlikely. We've taken a look at Rosenior's path up to this point and what he could bring to Bloomfield Road. Rosenior retired from professional football aged 34, taking up the role as Brighton U23 coach working with Simon Rusk alongside TV punditry work. Leaving Brighton to form part of Phillip Cocu's Derby County coaching staff, Rosenior has stayed with the Rams ever since - becoming an important figure in Wayne Rooney's time in charge during a difficult period for the club. Upon his exit from Brighton, chairman Tony Bloom made clear the ambition Rosenior holds to make his way in the coaching world: “Since retiring from playing last summer, we have seen Liam’s coaching ability first-hand working with Simon Rusk’s under-23s. "Liam has made no secret of his desire to coach at first-team level, and so, while we are very sorry to see Liam leave the club, we fully understand the opportunity which is available to him and the reasoning behind why he has chosen to join Derby County." In 2021, Rosenior was reportedly a candidate for the England U21 vacancy left behind by Aidy Boothroyd, before Lee Carsley eventually took the role. During the final years of his playing career, Rosenior wrote regularly for the Guardian both on the sport itself and important societal issues as he has continued to be a strong advocate for diversity and inclusion - joining the FA's Inclusion Advisory Board. Rosenior has taken inspiration from trendsetters in the game, not least Brighton boss Graham Potter's 'people first, players second' approach that he highlighted in a column for the Guardian when Potter was in charge of Swedish side Ostersunds: "The method has been built by a coach who knew from his studies that success on the football pitch is guided by people first and players second. Take, for example, the introduction of the Östersund “cultural academy” where it is compulsory for players, coaches and staff to collaborate and perform songs, dances and theatrical productions for the public every year. "What has that got to do with football, many people would understandably ask, but the overarching coaching philosophy of Potter is that taking people out of their comfort zone is an effective way to promote personal growth, increase players’ abilities to work together with empathy for each other and elevate confidence and self-esteem in the individual, all huge qualities needed when performing on a football pitch in front of tens of thousands of people." That 'people first, players second' mentality has enabled Derby to continue to fight against the odds throughout the season that has just come to a close. The spirit the Rams showcased, despite many being young, inexperienced players, caught the eye of all across the Football League and Rosenior was no small part of that. It is clear from reading Rosenior's musings on the game that a possession-based style and maximising the potential of players to be brave on the ball playing out from the back runs through the heart of his philosophy. Bravery and 'vulnerability' as he puts it are underrated facets of a team and their identity, facets that can be seen as positives when used correctly. The manner in which Rosenior can dissect the game so clearly and with a succinct manner shows a depth of tactical understanding that would clearly translate to the world of management, showcased in his column regarding England's victory over Colombia in the 2018 World Cup: "In terms of our 3-5-2, there is huge benefit in the way we are able to construct play from the back while being able to dominate numerically in central areas of the pitch. But there were times against Colombia when we allowed them to take control of possession for long periods to take the sting out of the game. "They utilised their full-backs to push our wing-backs into a back line of 5-3-2 instead of 3-5-2 , forcing us to defend deep and not press. England became less of a threat in transition moments, something Sterling, Harry Kane, Dele Alli and Jesse Lingard thrive on. This also puts a great physical demand on Alli and Lingard, who have to cover a lot of ground at high intensity without the ball, making them less fresh and creative in possession." Rosenior is someone who speaks with an authority, a confidence in his words knowing they are backed up by a wealth of knowledge. He is comfortable tackling important societal issues and becoming the face for change where required and his ideals of what a football team should look like and his persona align with the traits CEO Ben Mansford recently outlined in his interview with Tangerine TV. "I don't think we are specific to the person and the career they've had but they have to be hard working and understand the town. They have to have us organised and entertained. They need to understand where we are and what we are about. They need to develop players and have some nous," Mansford said. "You have to compete with teams that have bigger budgets and better players and prepare us tactically." He is someone who ticks every box the club is looking for, wanting to go in a modern, forward-thinking direction. Dubbed one of the 'most respected young coaches in English football' by Henry Winter in his interview with the Times, Rosenior is part of the new school, with a different way of working that aligns with the modern ideals of a player in an increasingly analytical football world. “I always wanted to coach. I never saw a media career. I fell into that but all the while I’ve been coaching 15 years, had my [Uefa] Pro Licence when I was 33. That’s what I’m passionate about. I’m in an unbelievable situation, working at a huge club, coaching the first team, taking sessions with the players, but then what’s great for my learning is I’m involved in recruitment, opposition scouting, all different aspects of development of young players, having personal development plans for them," Rosenior told the Times after joining Derby. “Developing people is more important than developing players because you need to be able to connect with the player, understand what makes them tick or they won’t come with you on the journey. I like to think I’m quite a good people person and I want the best for people. Top coaches have to have empathy. Yes, you can be tough, but you have to to understand people. Alex Ferguson...people talk about the hairdryer treatment but he evolved the way he managed players throughout generations. “One of the things I always hear on TV now is, ‘You can’t shout at players like you used to.’ Well, don’t shout at them then. There’s a different way of thinking and coaching now. More money is going into the psychological side with mental health and you need to give that [advice and encouragement] to players. We should embrace more as a coach, not say, ‘Oh, old school, you used to be able to shout and say get on with it.’ I don’t think that works now.”
Brave choice, hope it comes off but don't think it will. Really needed an old experienced head at this time.
That's a really good article and highlights his forward-thinking. Given time I am sure he will succeed in the game, I just hope he is given time with us.
Good luck to him. Are we bothered he's called Head Coach and not Manager? Could suggest he has limited influence over transfers.
Probably does have a limited influence, but I'd like to think he'd assert what/who he wants. If Acun is invested in him, he'll hopefully listen. On a side note I find it funny we have new players yet to pull on the shirt who've had 3 gaffers this season so far.
Desperate for Rosie to do well. Really comes across as a student of the game whenever I see him on tv. But then again Gary Neville is the very best and look at his foray into management! Seems a very strange appointment, but it’s done now so let’s hope for the best!
If we keep Andy as assistant manager I think we will be OK, I've been impressed with his work as temporary manager so let's get behind them and not start crying when we get beat, Up the Tigers.
I can absolutely see the wrongs he has made right after initially hiring a relatively unknown manager with no Looking forward to a good old sing song down the local village hall.
It's pretty easy to look at this from both view points. I'm currently choosing / leaning to view it along the same lines as you ..... but I can very readily see why others are asking these questions and making their comments. Maybe it's that my heart is currently over-ruling my head. It will be great if it works out, and of course I hope it does, but it could easily go very wrong. As always, only .... TWT
