Chelsea coach Rosenior ruthless vs. Hull City to prove his credentials

"As Chelsea celebrated their third goal on the hour mark, Rosenior clasped hands with Enzo Fernández, a World Cup winner signed for £106million, and sent him onto the pitch. The hope for Hull City had long drained out of a bitterly cold MKM Stadium, where around 20 of Rosenior's family and friends tried to get tickets for this FA Cup fourth round match to see the 41-year-old return to the place where he spent seven seasons, five as a player and two in the dugout."

"Rosenior's first permanent managerial appointment came at Hull in 2022 and the locals here remember the innovation he brought to their football. That trend has continued to the extent he had sufficient confidence in this Chelsea squad -- who, let's not forget, blew a 2-0 lead against Leeds United just three days earlier -- to make eight changes away to a team currently sitting fourth in the Championship."

"Rosenior's grandmother, once a Hull season-ticket holder, has sadly passed away but on Monday the new Chelsea manager wistfully claimed "she did the draw" to pair his present side with his past. The home fans will not have enjoyed watching their side dismantled so comprehensively -- Chelsea won 4-0 in the end -- but when the pain subsides, they may reflect with some pride on the position Rosenior now finds himself in."

Liam Rosenior returned to Hull and oversaw Chelsea's 4-0 FA Cup victory over his former club, making notable substitutions including Enzo Fernández. Around 20 family and friends attended amid memories of his late grandmother, a former Hull season-ticket holder. Rosenior spent seven seasons at Hull and took his first permanent managerial role there in 2022, earning praise for innovation. He made eight changes despite recent squad inconsistency and has won eight of his 11 matches in charge. Critics link his arrival to Chelsea's owner connections, but his results and bold selections have strengthened his credentials.

Read at ESPN.com