Rosenior has gone from being at City to Strasbourg in France and now Chelsea as he climbs the ranks as one of the best up-and-coming managers.
Hull finished the Championship season three points outside the play-offs, and many fans were shocked by the decision to part company with Rosenior, who was much loved by supporters.
Rosenior should shine at Chelsea
Ilicali, speaking to football.london, has revealed his love for Rosenior despite letting him go at the Tigers in what was one of the club’s most successful seasons in recent years.
"I really respect Liam as a person first and foremost, but also as a coach. I felt that his style was not suited to the Championship and I wanted something different in the end. It was a really hard decision to part ways because of the relationship we had together, but I felt it was the right one to make.
"I said at the time I felt Liam would go on and be very successful, and that's proved to be the case with the job he did at Strasbourg and now being given the chance at Chelsea, which makes me very proud."
Rosenior was shockingly fired from Hull City over being too defensive but took his football to Strasbourg where he helped the Ligue 1 side to the Champions League.
Will Ilicali regret his decision?
Ilicali wished Rosenior well as he watches the former Hull boss reach new heights, potentially making him regret his decision to let him go.
"I can say that we had very good times together. He lifted the club, and it was a very good period together, and of course, I'm very proud that now he's gone to Chelsea.
"I want Liam to be successful, of course, but at big clubs, success is not very easy, and he will know there are so many challenges. It's not easy to stay for a long time when you are young, and this is a big disadvantage. Liam, of course, will need some time.
"If he doesn't finish high up in the Premier League, then of course he will have stress, but I would advise Chelsea to give him more time because it is not his team now. He will be happy to adopt the team players, and in the long term, if he can play with his players, he will be successful, I think.
"I wish him all the best, and will be watching closely, and I would love to see our club come up against Chelsea in the Premier League in the near future."
Liam Rosenior, 41, is now facing the biggest job of his career after Enzo Maresca’s departure from Chelsea and his first game in charge comes against Fulham on Thursday night as the Blues aim to jump into the top four.