An Significant Moment when Rosenior Shatters Boundaries

"He is an excellent manager that knows the game inside out, and that's what matters most.

"But, as the Blues' pioneering African heritage player, I would be lying if I said this appointment doesn't move me."

These were the sentiments expressed by Paul Canoville, who made his historic first appearance for the Blues' first team off the bench back in April 1982.

This week, the club named Strasbourg manager Liam Rosenior, 41, to be their next head coach after the exit of Enzo Maresca.

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

Statistics show only twelve black managers – not including individuals in temporary caretaker positions – in England's top flight since its inception 34 in the past.

"What really strikes me regarding Rosenior is he was raised and played locally, he knows this area," added Canoville.

"When kids observe a figure like Rosenior in charge of their club, someone they can identify with, from a similar background, who comes from a household that fights for what's right… that's impactful and shows them the path is there.

"Indeed, this represents a huge moment for Chelsea, for the capital, for all young person dreaming big.

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

What Does the Data Reveal?

The iconic Dutchman Ruud Gullit became Chelsea head coach back in the nineties thereby becoming the top flight's first African heritage manager.

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

West Ham boss Nuno Espirito Santo currently stands as the sole additional current Premier League boss of colour.

The lack of managers of colour across English football corresponds with a lack of diversity at executive level.

According to the BFP 2023's report, 43% of top-flight players are from African or Caribbean backgrounds.

Yet, research by the equality organization revealed just 3.2% of board and senior leadership positions at 17 of 20 Premier League clubs are from minority ethnic backgrounds.

Regarding senior coaching positions, according to data from eleven clubs, the figure is 2%.

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

"He has undoubtedly made history in terms of him being announced as a the Chelsea head coach, and as an organization, we want to see more of that," said Kick It Out CEO Samuel Okafor.

"We know there is loads of talent present within ethnic minority groups... aspiring coaches want the opportunity to demonstrate what they can do. We need to continue to striving to break those obstacles down."

Additionally, the new appointee will become one of only four full-time English managers presently managing in the top flight – alongside Sean Dyche, Eddie Howe as well as Scott Parker – a number that lags behind Europe's other big five leagues in terms of homegrown managers.

Sixteen out of twenty top-flight coaches in Serie A are from Italy, 11 in La Liga are Spanish, 12 in the Bundesliga are German and Ten of the 18 are French.

Current Blues caretaker manager Calum McFarlane said: "I have no doubt all young English coaches from an academy background will be, to some degree no matter who you support, rooting for Liam.

"It's truly motivating to young English coaches in the system to witness someone get that job with that profile and everyone hopes he will be really well."

It is vital to remember – his appointment is due to ability'

His father, Leroy, Rosenior Sr., had a career with clubs such as Fulham, the Hammers and Queens Park Rangers, and his coaching stint peaked with a brief stint at then-League One side Brentford FC back in 2006.

In 2019, he was awarded a Member of the Order of the British Empire in the 2019 New Year Honours for services rendered to tackling discrimination in football and beyond.

After Liam hung up his boots he pursued his father's footsteps. He began writing a column for a national newspaper, and in one piece he acknowledged the lack of diversity among managers. He pointed out that ethnicity does not determine coaching skill and said roles must be awarded based on qualification.

He also made a point he has often stated: how significant under-representation leads to misunderstandings regarding footballers with diverse ethnic and cultural heritage.

During an interview for a football podcast, Rosenior highlighted how his star striker, Emmanuel Emegha, had been described as "difficult" and "passionate", noting that he could relate to the Netherlands player of Nigerian descent. The striker is expected to join him in moving from France to West London this summer.

In further newspaper articles, he also confessed he was "embarrassed" to hear a staff member utter a homophobic slur. He vowed support for the Premier League's Rainbow Laces campaign and authored a public message to the former US President while he was in office, condemning his "blatant" prejudice.

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

The manager bid goodbye at Strasbourg earlier this week before signing a long-term deal with the Blues.

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

Elliott has since worked in several executive roles, including the FA's equality board|