Liam Rosenior made an emphatic return to Ligue 1 management by guiding Paris FC to a dramatic 2-1 victory over his former club Strasbourg, a result he later admitted was tinged with personal significance following his controversial exit from Chelsea earlier this year.
Rosenior lasted just 106 days at Stamford Bridge after being appointed to succeed Enzo Maresca, who had himself departed following disagreements with Chelsea's ownership group, BlueCo. Despite being seen as a long-term appointment plucked from Strasbourg, Rosenior was unable to see out even a single season in charge before being dismissed.
He has since rebuilt his managerial career in France, taking charge of Paris FC, who now sit third in the Ligue 1 table and remain unbeaten through their opening five matches of the season. Sunday's clash with Strasbourg at the Stade Jean-Bouin represented an emotionally charged reunion, pitting Rosenior against the club he left behind for the Chelsea job.
Paris FC secured all three points thanks to goals from Ilan Kebbal and Pablo Pagis, with the contest ending in tense fashion after a late own goal from Strasbourg's Moustapha Mbow set up a nervy finish. Rosenior's side held firm to claim the victory, sparking wild celebrations from the home manager in front of the traveling Strasbourg supporters who had once chanted his name during his time at the club.
Those celebrations, however, were not without controversy, as tempers flared on the pitch with several heated exchanges between players and staff from both sides. Speaking after the match, Rosenior explained that his reaction was a direct response to abuse he said he received from a section of the Strasbourg following throughout the game.
"[There was a small part of the Strasbourg] support who disrespect my family," Rosenior said. "I understand the context of what they were saying. My bench were visibly upset."
The former Chelsea boss was quick to clarify that his frustration was directed at only a small portion of the away fans, insisting he retains great respect and affection for Strasbourg as a football club.
"I want to make this very clear: a small section," he said. "Strasbourg is a fantastic football club, with great people who work for the club, and great people who support the club."
Rosenior went on to explain that his animated celebration in front of the Strasbourg fans was a deliberate statement aimed at those who had targeted him verbally during the match.
"For me to celebrate in that way was a message," he explained. "A message to a group of people who never wanted me to be successful at that club. But I'm not going to say anymore than that."
Despite the tension, Rosenior reiterated his ongoing bond with Strasbourg, a club he managed before his ill-fated stint at Chelsea, and stressed that his comments were not meant to tarnish its reputation.
"The people in the club [Strasbourg] who know me know I've always been respectful, I've always wanted the best for that football club," he said. "I still do want the best for that football club. But when I heard the chants - I understand French, I understand the context, the language - that's a step too far."
He added: "It's a wonderful football club, it's a great city, it's a club with great tradition, I've always protected those traditions. So for me to celebrate in the way that I did, was for many reasons. Many reasons."
The win extends Paris FC's strong start to the season under Rosenior, who appears to be quickly finding his footing back in French football after a turbulent departure from the Premier League.
Based on reporting from Standard Sport (football).