Gary O’Neil has been appointed as Strasbourg’s new head coach following Liam Rosenior’s departure to Chelsea earlier this week, Afrosport reports.
Strasbourg, currently seventh in Ligue 1, moved quickly to secure 42–year-old O’Neil after Rosenior joined Chelsea on a six-and-a-half-year contract on Tuesday.
Both clubs are part of the BlueCo multi-club ownership group, controlled by Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital.
O’Neil said he was proud to take charge of a club he believes has a “high-quality squad and clear, ambitious goals for the season”.
He said: “Racing has a unique history, extraordinary passion and great resilience. Above all, there are loyal fans who want to see attractive football and success. My priority is to work tirelessly with the team and give everything for the club.”
Club president Marc Keller described O’Neil as a “demanding and respected coach” whose “modern approach to football fits perfectly with their sporting project.
O’Neil will take charge of his first match on Saturday in a French Cup tie against Avranches.
Gary O’Neil appointed coach of Racing Club de Strasbourg Alsace
Racing Club de Strasbourg Alsace announces the appointment of Gary O’Neil as coach of the first team.
At the age of 42, Gary O’Neil has a strong experience in top-flight football. The former attacking midfielder… pic.twitter.com/YxYvaLYZ7H
— Racing Club de Strasbourg Alsace English (@RCSA_English) January 7, 2026
A former midfielder for Portsmouth, Middlesbrough and QPR, O’Neil began his managerial career at Bournemouth, where he succeeded Scott Parker during the 2022-23 season and successfully guided the club to Premier League safety. Despite that achievement, he was dismissed at the end of the campaign.
He returned swiftly to management with Wolves for the 2023-24 season, leading them to a 14th-place Premier League finish and an FA Cup quarter-final appearance. However, his second season at Molineux proved more difficult, and he was sacked in December 2024 with the club in the relegation zone.
In total, O’Neil has taken charge of 88 Premier League matches and now begins a new chapter in his managerial career in France
