A Historic Event as Rosenior Shatters Barriers

"Rosenior represents a top coach that knows the game inside out, which is what matters most.

"But, as Chelsea's first African heritage player, I would be lying if I said this news fails to move me."

Those are the words expressed by the former Chelsea winger, who earned his groundbreaking first appearance for the Blues' first team off the bench in April 1982.

On Tuesday, the club named RC Strasbourg manager Liam Rosenior, aged 41, to be their new manager following the departure of manager Enzo Maresca.

Strasbourg are within a Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital-owned ownership group that also controls the London club.

Statistics show a mere twelve of African or Caribbean heritage head coaches – not including individuals in interim positions – in England's top flight since its inception thirty-four in the past.

"One thing that impresses me regarding Rosenior is he grew up and played not far from here, he understands this community," added Canoville.

"Whenever kids observe a figure like Rosenior in charge of their club, a person who looks like them, who's from their ends, from a family that champions what's right… that's powerful demonstrating the path is there.

"Indeed, this represents a huge moment for the club, for London, for every young person dreaming big.

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

What Does the Numbers Indicate?

The iconic Dutchman Ruud Gullit became the Blues' manager back in the nineties thereby becoming the Premier League's first black head coach.

Twelve years later, in 2008, Paul Ince was appointed as the first English black boss in the Premier League when he took over Blackburn Rovers.

The Hammers' boss Nuno Espirito Santo is the only other present Premier League boss from a minority ethnic background.

The lack of ethnic minority managers across the English game corresponds with a lack of diversity at executive level.

According to the BFP 2023's study, 43% of top-flight players come from African or Caribbean heritage.

However, research from Kick It Out revealed only 3.2% of executive and leadership positions across most Premier League clubs are from ethnically diverse communities.

Regarding first-team coaching level, according to data provided by eleven clubs, the percentage stands at two percent.

For all coaching positions – encompassing head coaches – from those same 11 clubs, the statistic is just 5%.

"He's certainly made history by virtue of him being announced as a Chelsea manager, and as an organization, we want to see more of that," stated the chief executive of Kick It Out Samuel Okafor.

"It is acknowledged that there exists a wealth of talent present within black and underrepresented communities... they want the opportunity to show what they can do. We need to persist in striving to break those obstacles down."

Furthermore, Rosenior will become one of only four full-time English head coaches currently in the Premier League – joining Sean Dyche, Eddie Howe and Scott Parker – which trails the continent's remaining big five divisions in terms of homegrown managers.

Sixteen of the 20 top-flight coaches in Serie A are from Italy, Eleven in La Liga are Spanish, Twelve in the Bundesliga are German and 10 in Ligue 1 in France.

Current Chelsea caretaker manager Calum McFarlane said: "I have no doubt all aspiring British managers from an academy background will be, in some way no matter who you support, supporting Liam.

"It is truly motivating for young English coaches in the system to see an individual land such a role with his background and we hope he will be highly successful."

'Let's not forget – he's there based on talent'

His father, Leroy, Liam's father, played for clubs such as Fulham, the Hammers and Queens Park Rangers, and his coaching stint culminating in a brief spell at the third-tier club Brentford back in 2006.

In 2019, he was awarded a Member of the Order of the British Empire in that year's Honours List for his services in combating inequality within the sport and beyond.

When Rosenior Jr retired from playing he pursued his father's footsteps. He began writing articles for a national newspaper, and in one piece he acknowledged the under-representation of black coaches. He pointed out that ethnicity does not influence ability arguing that roles should be given based on qualification.

He further expressed the view he has often stated: that significant under-representation results in misunderstandings regarding footballers with diverse ethnic and cultural heritage.

In a podcast with The Athletic FC, he explained the way his star striker, Emmanuel Emegha, was labelled "difficult" or "emotional", noting that he understood the Dutch international with Nigerian parentage. The striker is expected to join him in moving from France to West London in July.

In further newspaper articles, Rosenior also admitted to being "embarrassed" to hear an unnamed coach make a discriminatory remark. He vowed his support for the Premier League's inclusion initiative and wrote an open letter to the former US President during his first US presidency, condemning his "blatant" racism.

Rosenior has since made his name in the dugout – initially with Hull City, then Strasbourg – with Wayne Rooney said this week Rosenior was "among the best coaches I've ever worked with" following their time together at Derby County.

Rosenior said goodbye to his former club on Tuesday morning prior to putting pen to paper on a long-term contract at Chelsea.

The Blues had the Premier League's pioneering black manager with Gullit as well as the first black captain in Paul Elliott.

Elliott later held several senior positions, among them the Football Association's equality board|