An Historic Event as Rosenior Overcomes Barriers

"Rosenior represents a quality coach who knows the game inside out, which is the most important thing.

"But, as the Blues' pioneering black player, it would be dishonest if I said this appointment fails to move me."

Those are the sentiments of Paul Canoville, the man who made his groundbreaking first appearance for the Blues' first team as a substitute in April 1982.

On Tuesday, Chelsea named Strasbourg manager Liam Rosenior, 41, as their new manager after the exit of Enzo Maresca.

The French club is part of a Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital-owned BlueCo which also owns Chelsea.

There have been only twelve of African or Caribbean heritage managers – not including individuals in temporary caretaker roles – in England's top flight since its inception thirty-four in the past.

"What really strikes me regarding Rosenior is he was raised and played locally, he understands the local fans," continued Canoville.

"When kids observe someone like Liam managing their club, someone they can identify with, who's from their ends, who comes from a household that fights for what's right… it is impactful and shows them the path is there.

"So yes, it is an enormous step for the club, for London, for all young person dreaming big.

"But right now? We must support Rosenior, give him the necessary tools, and let the man get on with the job."

What Does the Numbers Show?

Dutch legend Ruud Gullit was appointed Chelsea manager in 1996 and became the top flight's first African heritage manager.

Twelve years later, in 2008, Paul Ince became the first black English boss in the top flight after taking charge at Blackburn Rovers.

The Hammers' manager Nuno Espirito Santo is the sole additional present Premier League gaffer of colour.

The shortage of managers of colour throughout the English game is matched by an absence of diversity in the boardroom.

As per a BFP 2023's report, 43% of Premier League players come from black heritage.

Yet, research by the equality organization found just 3.2 percent of board and senior leadership management teams across 17 of 20 Premier League clubs are from minority ethnic backgrounds.

At first-team coaching level, according to figures provided by 11 clubs, the percentage is 2%.

Across all coaching roles – encompassing senior roles – from the same eleven clubs, the figure is just five percent.

"He's certainly broken barriers by virtue of his appointment as a the Chelsea manager, and we want to see more of that," said Kick It Out CEO Samuel Okafor.

"We know that there exists loads of ability that exists within ethnic minority groups... they desire a chance to show what they can do. It is imperative to continue to striving to dismantle those barriers once and for all."

Additionally, Rosenior will become the fourth full-time British head coaches currently in the Premier League – alongside Sean Dyche, Eddie Howe as well as Scott Parker – which trails Europe's remaining major leagues in terms of national representation.

Sixteen of the 20 top-flight coaches in Serie A are Italian, Eleven of the 20 in Spain, 12 of the 18 are German and 10 in Ligue 1 in France.

Current Chelsea interim boss Calum McFarlane said: "I'm sure all young English coaches from an academy background are, in some way regardless of allegiance, supporting Liam.

"It's really motivating to young English academy coaches to witness an individual get such a role with that profile and everyone hopes he does really well."

'Let's not forget – his appointment is on merit'

His father, Leroy, Liam's father, played for clubs such as Fulham, West Ham and Queens Park Rangers, and his coaching stint peaked with a five-month stint in charge of then-League One side Brentford in 2006.

In 2019, he was awarded an MBE in that year's Honours List for services rendered to tackling inequality in football and beyond.

After Liam retired from playing he followed his father's footsteps. He started writing a column for a national newspaper, and in one piece he acknowledged the under-representation of black coaches. He pointed out that race does not influence coaching skill arguing that opportunities must be awarded based on qualification.

He further expressed a point he has often stated: how vast under-representation leads to a failure to understand regarding footballers with diverse cultural and ethnic heritage.

During an interview with The Athletic FC, he explained how his leading forward, Emmanuel Emegha, had been described as "hard to manage" or "emotional", but said he understood the Netherlands player of Nigerian descent. Emegha is set to follow him with a move from France to West London in July.

In further Guardian columns, Rosenior also admitted he was "embarrassed" upon hearing an unnamed staff member make a homophobic slur. He pledged his support for the Premier League's Rainbow Laces campaign and authored a public message to Donald Trump during his first US presidency, accusing him of "blatant" racism.

He has subsequently built his reputation in the dugout – initially with Hull City, then Strasbourg – and Wayne Rooney said this week he was "among the best coaches I've ever worked with" following their collaboration with Derby.

Rosenior said his farewells to his former club on Tuesday morning before signing a long-term contract with the Blues.

The Blues had the Premier League's first African heritage manager with Gullit and the first black skipper named Paul Elliott.

Elliott has since held multiple executive roles, among them the Football Association's diversity and inclusion board|