A Historic Occasion as Rosenior Overcomes Barriers

"He is an excellent tactician that understands football inside out, and that's the crucial factor.

"But, as Chelsea's first black player, I would be lying to claim this moment does not affect me."

These were the sentiments of the former Chelsea winger, who made his historic first appearance for Chelsea's senior side as a substitute back in the spring of 1982.

This week, the club appointed Strasbourg manager Liam Rosenior, aged 41, to be their next manager following the departure of Enzo Maresca.

Strasbourg are within the multi-club ownership group that also owns the London club.

Statistics show only 12 of African or Caribbean heritage managers – excluding those in temporary caretaker positions – in the Premier League since it began 34 years ago.

"One thing that impresses me about Liam is that he grew up and played locally, he understands the local fans," continued Canoville.

"Whenever youngsters see someone like Liam in charge of their club, a person who looks like them, from a similar background, who comes from a family that fights for equality… it is impactful and shows them the path is there.

"Indeed, it is a huge moment for the club, for the capital, for all aspiring individual dreaming big.

"But right now? Let's back Liam, give him the necessary tools, and allow him to get on with the job."

What Does the Numbers Reveal?

Dutch legend Ruud Gullit was appointed the Blues' head coach in 1996 thereby becoming the Premier League's first African heritage manager.

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

West Ham manager Nuno Espirito Santo is the only other current top flight gaffer from a minority ethnic background.

The shortage of managers of colour across the English game corresponds with an absence of diversity at executive level.

As per a Black Footballers Partnership 2023's study, 43% of Premier League footballers come from black heritage.

Yet, research from the equality organization revealed only 3.2% of executive and leadership positions across 17 of 20 Premier League clubs are held by people from ethnically diverse communities.

Regarding first-team coaching positions, based on figures provided by eleven clubs, the figure is 2%.

For all coaching positions – including senior roles – from those same eleven clubs, the statistic is just five percent.

"He has undoubtedly made history by virtue of his appointment as a Chelsea head coach, and as an organization, we hope to see more of that," stated Kick It Out CEO Samuel Okafor.

"We know that there exists a wealth of talent that exists within ethnic minority groups... they desire a chance to demonstrate their capabilities. It is imperative to persist in striving to dismantle those obstacles once and for all."

Furthermore, Rosenior is set to become the fourth permanent English managers currently managing in the top flight – alongside Sean Dyche, Eddie Howe and Scott Parker – a number that trails the continent's other big five leagues in terms of national managers.

16 out of twenty top-flight coaches in Serie A are from Italy, 11 of the 20 in Spain, 12 in the Bundesliga are German while 10 of the 18 in France.

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

"It's really inspirational for up-and-coming British academy coaches to see someone get such a role with his background and everyone hopes he does highly successful."

It is vital to remember – his appointment is based on talent'

His father, Leroy, Rosenior Sr., played for the likes of West London clubs, the Hammers as well as Queens Park Rangers, and his coaching stint peaked with a brief spell at then-League One side Brentford FC in 2006.

Two years ago, he was awarded an MBE in that year's 2019 New Year Honours for his services to tackling inequality within the sport and wider society.

When Rosenior Jr retired from playing he followed his father's footsteps. He started penning articles for The Guardian, where in 2017 he acknowledged the lack of diversity among managers. He highlighted that race does not influence coaching skill arguing that opportunities must be awarded based on qualification.

He also made a point he would repeat: that significant lack of diversity results in misunderstandings of players from different cultural and ethnic heritage.

In a podcast with The Athletic FC, he explained the way his star striker, Emmanuel Emegha, had been described as "difficult" and "passionate", but said he could relate to the Dutch international with Nigerian parentage. Emegha is set to follow him in moving from France to Chelsea in July.

In further Guardian columns, he also confessed to being "embarrassed" to hear a staff member make a homophobic slur. He pledged support for the Premier League's inclusion campaign and authored a public message to the former US President while he was in office, condemning his "blatant" prejudice.

Rosenior has since built his reputation in the dugout – initially with Hull City, then Strasbourg – with Wayne Rooney recently stating he was "among the best coaches I've ever worked with" following their collaboration at Derby County.

Rosenior said his farewells at Strasbourg on Tuesday morning prior to putting pen to paper on a six‑and‑a‑half‑year contract with the Blues.

Chelsea had the Premier League's pioneering black boss in Gullit as well as the first black skipper named Paul Elliott.

Elliott later worked in several executive roles, among them the FA's equality board|