A new era in West London has begun with a record-breaking bang. On Saturday, January 10, 2026, Liam Rosenior became the first Chelsea manager in nearly a decade to win his debut match in charge, as the Blues dismantled Charlton Athletic 5–1 in the FA Cup third round.
By securing the victory at The Valley, Rosenior achieved a feat that eluded big-name predecessors like Graham Potter, Thomas Tuchel, and Mauricio Pochettino. He is the first Chelsea boss to win his opening game since Antonio Conte defeated West Ham 2–1 back in August 2016.
A Debut for the History Books
The 41-year-old, who arrived from sister-club Strasbourg just days ago, didn't just win—he delivered the most emphatic debut performance by a Chelsea manager in 18 years.
The Margin: The 5-1 scoreline is Chelsea's largest margin of victory in a manager’s first game since Luiz Felipe Scolari beat Portsmouth 4–0 in 2008.
The Clinical Edge: Chelsea dominated with 78% possession and fired off 30 shots (16 on target), recording an impressive 3.59 xG.
Tactical Shift: Despite making eight changes to the side that lost to Fulham in midweek, Rosenior’s "fluid 3-4-3" system saw defender Jorrel Hato pushing into midfield to score the era's opening goal.
The "New Manager Bounce"
The win provides much-needed oxygen for the BlueCo ownership. Rosenior’s appointment had been met with skepticism from some fans due to his ties to the multi-club structure, but the "Strasbourg Connection" was evident on the pitch, with Andrey Santos and Jorrel Hato looking revitalized under their former boss.
Liam Rosenior on the win:
"I’m excited for the future. It was professional, it was controlled, and it showed the quality we have in this squad. To be mentioned in the same breath as Antonio Conte for a debut win is an honor, but this is just step one."
The Verdict: While the opposition was Championship-level, the psychological weight of this win cannot be understated.
Rosenior has immediately shed the "interim" feel of recent appointments and given the fans a glimpse of a high-energy, attacking future.