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Gary O’Neil Appointed Strasbourg Manager Following Liam Rosenior’s Chelsea Move

Gary O’Neil during a press conference as Strasbourg manager

Gary O’Neil has been appointed manager of Strasbourg following Liam Rosenior’s departure to Chelsea earlier this week. The 42-year-old former Premier League midfielder and manager brings a wealth of experience to the French Ligue 1 side.

O’Neil, who previously managed Bournemouth and Wolves in the Premier League, expressed pride at joining a club with a “high-quality squad and clear, ambitious goals for the season.”

“Racing has a unique history, extraordinary passion, great resilience, and of course, loyal fans who want to see this team play attractive football and succeed,” O’Neil said.
“My priority is to work hard with the team and give everything for the club’s success.”

Strasbourg Act Quickly

Strasbourg, currently sitting seventh in Ligue 1, moved swiftly to secure O’Neil after Rosenior signed a six-and-a-half-year deal with Chelsea. The club is part of the BlueCo multi-club ownership group, which also controls Chelsea under Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital.

Club president Marc Keller praised the new appointment, describing O’Neil as a “demanding and respected coach, with a modern approach to football that fits perfectly with our sporting project.”

O’Neil’s Managerial Journey

After starting his managerial career with Bournemouth, O’Neil guided the Cherries to safety in the 2022-23 season but was sacked at the end of the campaign. He quickly returned to management with Wolves in the 2023-24 season, leading them to a 14th-place Premier League finish and an FA Cup quarter-final.

However, his second season at Molineux proved challenging, with Wolves struggling in the relegation zone, which led to his dismissal in December 2024.

O’Neil will take charge of Strasbourg for the first time in the French Cup tie at Avranches on Saturday, where he aims to immediately impress fans and build momentum for the remainder of the Ligue 1 season.