Gary O’Neil has been appointed manager of Strasbourg following Liam Rosenior’s departure to Chelsea, marking a fresh chapter in the Englishman’s coaching career and underlining the growing influence of the BlueCo multi-club model in European football.
The 42-year-old has been out of management since being sacked by Wolves in December 2024 but now returns to the dugout with a Ligue 1 side pushing for European qualification. Strasbourg currently sit seventh in the table and acted quickly to secure O’Neil’s services after Rosenior accepted a six-and-a-half-year deal at Stamford Bridge earlier this week.
O’Neil said he was “proud” to join a club he believes has both ambition and the foundations for success. “Racing has a unique history, extraordinary passion and loyal fans who want to see attractive football and success,” he said. “My priority is to work hard with the team and give everything for the club’s success.”
For Strasbourg, the appointment represents continuity as much as change. The club are part of the BlueCo ownership group, led by Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital, which also owns Chelsea. Rosenior’s move to London highlighted the close relationship between the clubs, and O’Neil’s arrival is seen as another step in aligning Strasbourg’s sporting project with a modern, progressive approach.
Strasbourg president Marc Keller described O’Neil as a “demanding and respected coach” whose ideas fit perfectly with the club’s long-term vision. He will take charge of his first match on Saturday, a French Cup tie away at Avranches, before turning his attention back to league matters.
O’Neil’s managerial career has already taken in some of English football’s most testing environments. After retiring as a player, he began coaching at Bournemouth and was thrust into the manager’s role during the 2022-23 season following Scott Parker’s departure. Despite limited preparation time, he guided the Cherries to Premier League safety, earning praise for his calm authority and tactical flexibility.
However, Bournemouth opted to part ways with O’Neil at the end of the season, a decision that surprised many observers. His time out of work was brief. Wolves moved quickly to appoint him ahead of the 2023-24 campaign, and once again he delivered stability, steering the club to a 14th-place finish in the Premier League and an FA Cup quarter-final run.
That success raised expectations, but his second season at Molineux proved far more challenging. A poor run of results left Wolves in the relegation zone, and O’Neil was dismissed in December 2024. While his departure came amid frustration, his overall Premier League record remains respectable, having taken charge of 88 top-flight matches across his spells at Bournemouth and Wolves.
Strasbourg now offer O’Neil the opportunity to rebuild his reputation outside England and test himself in a new footballing culture. Ligue 1 presents different tactical and physical demands, and the challenge of adapting quickly will be central to his success. With Strasbourg well placed in the table and still competing in cup competitions, there is immediate incentive as well as long-term promise.
For the club’s supporters, the hope is that O’Neil can build on Rosenior’s work and maintain their push towards Europe. For O’Neil himself, the move represents a chance at renewal — a fresh start at a historic club eager to grow, compete and play an attractive brand of football on both domestic and continental stages.
