Chelsea have appointed Strasbourg manager Liam Rosenior as their new head coach.

The 41-year-old Englishman joins the club on a five-and-a-half-year deal with an option for a further season as he replaces Enzo Maresca, who left on New Year's Day.

Rosenior will be in the stands at Craven Cottage when Chelsea face Fulham in the Premier League on Wednesday, and will take charge of his first training session on Thursday before Saturday's FA Cup third-round meeting with Charlton Athletic.

"I am extremely humbled and honoured to be appointed head coach of Chelsea Football Club," Rosenior said.

"To be entrusted with this role means the world to me and I want to thank all involved for the opportunity and faith in undertaking this job. I will give everything to bring the success this club deserves."

Chelsea interim boss Calum McFarlane said he briefly spoke to Rosenior on Monday night.

"I wouldn't be giving him any advice because he is a really accomplished coach," McFarlane said.

"I am here to support him but I won't be giving him any advice."

Earlier on Tuesday, in his last news conference as Strasbourg manager, Rosenior confirmed he had "agreed verbally" to take over at Chelsea.

"I cannot turn down this opportunity to join an incredible club, incredible squad who are Club World Cup champions," Rosenior said.

Strasbourg are part of the Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital-owned BlueCo multi-club ownership group that also controls Chelsea.

Rosenior said Strasbourg first-team coach Kalifa Cisse, assistant head coach Justin Walker and head of analysis Ben Warner will join him at Stamford Bridge.