An Historic Event when Rosenior Shatters Barriers

"Liam Rosenior is a quality tactician who knows football back to front, which is the crucial factor.

"But, in my role as the Blues' first African heritage footballer, I would be lying if I said this appointment doesn't move me."

Those are the words of Paul Canoville, who made his groundbreaking debut for Chelsea's senior side off the bench in April 1982.

This week, Chelsea named RC Strasbourg boss Rosenior, aged 41, to be their next manager following the exit of Enzo Maresca.

Strasbourg are part of the multi-club BlueCo which also controls Chelsea.

There have been just 12 of African or Caribbean heritage head coaches – excluding individuals holding interim positions – in England's top flight since it began thirty-four in the past.

"What really strikes me regarding Rosenior is that he grew up and played not far from here, he understands this area," added Canoville.

"When kids see someone like Liam in charge of their club, someone they can identify with, from a similar background, who comes from a family that champions what's right… that's impactful demonstrating the path is there.

"Indeed, this represents a huge step for the club, for London, for every aspiring individual dreaming big.

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

What Do the Statistics Reveal?

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

Twelve years later, by 2008, Paul Ince was appointed as the pioneering black English manager in the top flight after taking charge at Blackburn Rovers.

The Hammers' boss Nuno Espirito Santo currently stands as the sole additional current Premier League boss from a minority ethnic background.

The shortage of ethnic minority managers across the English game corresponds with a lack of diversity in the boardroom.

As per a Black Footballers Partnership 2023 report, 43% of top-flight footballers are from African or Caribbean backgrounds.

Yet, analysis by the equality organization found only 3.2 percent of board and senior leadership positions at 17 of 20 Premier League clubs are held by people from ethnically diverse communities.

At senior coaching level, based on figures from 11 clubs, the percentage stands at 2%.

For all coaching positions – encompassing head coaches – from those same 11 clubs, the statistic is five percent.

"He has undoubtedly broken barriers in terms of him being announced as a Chelsea manager, and as an organization, we want to see more of that," stated Kick It Out CEO Samuel Okafor.

"It is acknowledged there is a wealth of talent that exists within black and underrepresented communities... aspiring coaches desire the opportunity to show what they can do. We need to continue to striving to break those barriers once and for all."

Additionally, the new appointee will become one of only four permanent British managers presently in the Premier League – joining Sean Dyche, Eddie Howe and Scott Parker – a number that lags behind the continent's remaining major leagues in terms of homegrown managers.

Sixteen out of twenty top-flight coaches in Serie A are from Italy, Eleven in La Liga are Spanish, 12 of the 18 are German while Ten of the 18 in France.

Current Chelsea interim boss Calum McFarlane commented: "I have no doubt all young English managers from an academy background will be, to some degree no matter who you support, supporting Liam.

"It's really inspirational for up-and-coming British academy coaches to see an individual land that job with his background and everyone hopes he will be really well."

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

Leroy Rosenior, Liam's father, played for clubs such as West London clubs, West Ham as well as Queens Park Rangers, and his managerial career culminating in a five-month stint at then-League One side Brentford FC in 2006.

Two years ago, he was awarded a Member of the Order of the British Empire in the 2019 New Year Honours for his services to tackling discrimination in football and wider society.

After Liam hung up his boots he followed his father's footsteps. He started writing articles for a national newspaper, where in 2017 he acknowledged the lack of diversity of black coaches. He pointed out that race does not determine coaching skill arguing that opportunities must be awarded based on qualification.

He also made a point he would repeat: that vast under-representation leads to a failure to understand regarding footballers with diverse cultural and ethnic backgrounds.

In a podcast for a football podcast, he explained how his leading forward, Emmanuel Emegha, had been described as "difficult" and "passionate", but said he understood the Dutch player with Nigerian parentage. Emegha is set to follow him with a move from Strasbourg to Chelsea in July.

In subsequent Guardian columns, he also confessed he was "ashamed" to hear a staff member utter a discriminatory remark. He pledged his support for the Premier League's Rainbow Laces initiative and wrote an open letter to the former US President during his first US presidency, condemning his "blatant" prejudice.

He has subsequently made his name in the dugout – initially with Hull City, then Strasbourg – with Wayne Rooney recently stating he was "as good a coach as I've ever worked with" after their time together with Derby.

The manager bid his farewells to his former club on Tuesday morning prior to putting pen to paper on a long-term deal at Chelsea.

Chelsea boasted the top flight's first black manager in Gullit and the first black skipper named Paul Elliott.

Elliott later worked in multiple executive roles, among them the FA's diversity and inclusion board|