While focus has been firmly on the start Derby County have made in the Championship, across the English channel, some former coaches have taken a brave new step.
Liam Rosenior and Justin Walker joined Ligue 1 outfit RC Strasbourg over the summer, coming as a huge change in direction for the former Rams coaches.
Rosenior, 40, was part of Phillip Cocu’s backroom staff when he joined the club in 2019, adding plenty of expertise of the Championship.
The former defender stayed on after the head coach’s dismisal, at first being the co-interim manager alongside Wayne Rooney before he was named as his assistant on a permanent basis.
Following on from relegation, there was another reshuffle in the coaching staff as Rosenior took the role of interim head coach once again.
There were expectations that he would stay on in the role full-time, given the effort he made to help the squad rebuild over a huge summer in 2022.
That wasn’t to be though as Paul Warne was named as Derby County head coach, leading to Rosenior taking a new path.
He would join Hull City, where he failed to secure a play-off place in 2023/24 and was eventually let go.
In a bid to continue his coaching journey, a move to Strasbourg in France has been completed, with his season now underway.
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How former Derby coach Liam Rosenior is doing at Strasbourg
Strasbourg appointed Rosenior following the exit of Patrick Vieira as head coach, with the French outfit looking for a fresh start.
The Ligue 1 team avoided relegation from the division last season and have recently become of the Blue Co. family of clubs – which is headed by Chelsea.
Rosenior brought former Derby coach Justin Walker along with him – with the 48-year-old having played a key role from the Derby academy all the way to the first-team level.
Their first taste of French football came against Montpellier – the team who finished one place above Strasbourg last season.
While Habib Diarra gave Rosenior’s team the lead, a Teji Savanier penalty ensured that the match ended in a draw.
Speaking to the media after the game, the new head coach said: “I’m very happy with the intensity and the energy of the players in this match. Commitment and determination, that’s all I ask for.”
“The style of play is new for them,” he continued. “In 3 weeks, the players have shown a lot of interesting things. The second half really showed where the team needs to go.”
On the change of league, Rosenior added: “I’m really happy to be here in Ligue 1. When I see the work of the whole group in the space of 3 weeks, it can only be promising.”
Liam Rosenior career path
So with Rosenior taking on the new experience in France, it leaves plenty wondering exactly how far he go in the world of management.
While his time at Derby and Hull may have ended in disappointment, the move to Ligue 1 may be a clever switch.
The 40-year-old will be away from the spotlight that English football can bring about, all while continuing to develop his management style and philosophy.
If his time in Strasbourg is a success, there could be some big moves on the horizon for him when it comes to management.
It remains to be seen if Rosenior and Derby will cross paths again, but it will be one to keep an eye out for.