In a recent appearance on his BBC podcast, the former Manchester United captain and England star spoke glowingly about Rosenior—his former assistant at Derby County—while highlighting how the 41-year-old has drawn inspiration from Ferguson’s legendary methods to transform Chelsea’s approach on and off the pitch.
Rooney revealed that Rosenior has reintroduced Ferguson’s classic emphasis on relentless pressing and high-intensity running as a core principle, something the Reds boss famously drilled into his United teams to dominate games from the front. “Liam’s brought back that old-school Ferguson mentality of making teams work hard without the ball,” Rooney explained. “I’ve watched Chelsea under him, and in his first few games, I saw the players running harder than they have all season. It’s that non-stop pressing, closing down space quickly, forcing errors high up the pitch—exactly what Sir Alex demanded to win back possession in dangerous areas.”
Rosenior, who worked closely with Rooney during a turbulent period at Derby before managing Hull City and RC Strasbourg, has long cited Ferguson as his managerial hero. A boyhood Manchester United fan, Rosenior has blended those influences with modern tactical ideas from Pep Guardiola, but Rooney believes the Ferguson-inspired “old-school” element is what has given Chelsea an immediate jolt.
Since taking over from Enzo Maresca on a long-term deal until 2032, Rosenior has overseen a noticeable uptick in work rate. Chelsea’s players have been seen applying aggressive, man-for-man pressing across the pitch—reminiscent of United’s counter-pressing under Ferguson in big matches—leading to quicker transitions and more turnovers in the opposition half. Rooney pointed to specific moments in recent fixtures where Chelsea’s front line and midfielders hunted in packs, suffocating opponents and creating chances from regains, a hallmark of Ferguson’s sides that terrorized Premier League defenses for years.
“Liam was incredible in his detail when we worked together,” Rooney continued. “He learned a lot from how I handled players and pressure, but he also absorbed those lessons from Sir Alex through stories and clips I shared. Now at Chelsea, he’s implementing that Ferguson DNA: brave in attack, bold in defense, and never letting teams settle. It’s not just about possession anymore—it’s about intensity, and that’s what he’s reviving.”
The tactic has paid early dividends. In Rosenior’s opening matches, Chelsea notched convincing wins, including a dominant FA Cup performance, with pundits noting the side’s renewed hunger and physical edge. Players like Joao Pedro have spoken of individual meetings with Rosenior boosting confidence, while the squad’s overall running stats have surged, aligning with Ferguson’s philosophy that “fitness wins titles” and hard work off the ball creates opportunities on it.
Rooney, who knows both men well—having played under Ferguson and coached alongside Rosenior—warned that adapting this approach to a star-studded Chelsea dressing room presents challenges. “Managing top players is different, but Liam’s got the man-management skills. He knows when to arm around the shoulder or deliver home truths, just like Sir Alex. If he sticks to these principles, Chelsea could see real progress.”
Fans have reacted positively on social media, with many praising the shift from Maresca’s more measured style to Rosenior’s high-energy revival of classic Ferguson traits. Critics, however, question whether the “old-school” pressing can sustain against elite possession sides without burning out the squad, especially in a congested fixture list.
As Rosenior settles into life at Stamford Bridge, backed by a long contract and the club’s ambitious ownership, Rooney’s endorsement adds weight to the narrative that Chelsea are embracing a blend of past glory and modern innovation. With Ferguson’s influence subtly woven into the blueprint, the Blues are showing signs of rediscovering that winning intensity that defined an era—and Rooney believes Rosenior is the man to make it work in today’s game.
