An Historic Event when Rosenior Shatters Obstacles

"Liam Rosenior is an excellent coach who knows the game inside out, and that's the most important thing.

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

Those are the sentiments of Paul Canoville, who earned his groundbreaking first appearance for Chelsea's senior side off the bench in April 1982.

On Tuesday, Chelsea named RC Strasbourg boss Liam Rosenior, aged 41, as their new head coach after the departure of Enzo Maresca.

The French club is within the multi-club BlueCo which also controls the London club.

Statistics show only twelve of African or Caribbean heritage managers – excluding those in interim roles – in the Premier League since its inception 34 in the past.

"What really strikes me about Liam is that he was raised and developed his game locally, he understands this area," added Canoville.

"When youngsters observe a figure like Rosenior in charge of their club, someone they can identify with, who's from their ends, who comes from a family that champions what's right… that's profound and shows them the path is there.

"So yes, this represents a massive moment for Chelsea, for the capital, for all aspiring individual dreaming big.

"However, currently? Let's back Liam, provide him with the necessary tools, and allow him to get on with the job."

What Does the Numbers Show?

The iconic Dutchman Ruud Gullit was appointed Chelsea manager back in the nineties and became the top flight's first black head coach.

A dozen years on, by 2008, Paul Ince became the pioneering black English boss in the Premier League when he took over Blackburn Rovers.

West Ham boss Nuno Espirito Santo currently stands as the only other present top flight boss of colour.

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

As per the Black Footballers Partnership 2023's study, 43% of Premier League footballers are from African or Caribbean heritage.

However, research by Kick It Out revealed only 3.2% of executive and leadership positions at 17 of 20 Premier League clubs are held by people from ethnically diverse backgrounds.

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

Across all coaching roles – encompassing head coaches – from the same eleven clubs, the statistic is five percent.

"He's certainly made history by virtue of him being announced as a Chelsea manager, and we hope to witness more such appointments," said the chief executive of Kick It Out Samuel Okafor.

"It is acknowledged there is loads of talent present in the ethnic minority groups... aspiring coaches desire a chance to demonstrate their capabilities. It is imperative to persist in work hard to break those barriers down."

Furthermore, the new appointee is set to become the fourth full-time English head coaches currently managing in the top flight – joining Sean Dyche, Eddie Howe and Scott Parker – a number that trails Europe's remaining major divisions regarding homegrown representation.

Sixteen out of twenty first division coaches in Serie A are from Italy, 11 in La Liga are Spanish, Twelve in the Bundesliga are German and 10 in Ligue 1 in France.

Current Blues caretaker manager Calum McFarlane commented: "I have no doubt all young English managers from an academy background are, in some way regardless of allegiance, supporting Liam.

"It is really motivating to young English coaches in the system to see someone land such a role with his background and we hope he does highly successful."

It is vital to remember – his appointment is on merit'

Leroy Rosenior, Liam's father, had a career with clubs such as West London clubs, West Ham and Queens Park Rangers, with his coaching stint peaked with a five-month spell in charge of the third-tier club Brentford FC back in 2006.

In 2019, he was awarded an MBE in the 2019 New Year Honours for his services to tackling inequality in football and beyond.

When Rosenior Jr retired from playing he followed his father's footsteps. He started writing articles for a national newspaper, and in one piece he addressed the lack of diversity of black coaches. He highlighted that ethnicity does not determine coaching skill and said opportunities should be given based on qualification.

He further expressed the view he has often stated: that significant lack of diversity results in a failure to understand of players with diverse ethnic and cultural heritage.

In a podcast for a football podcast, Rosenior highlighted the way his star striker, Emmanuel Emegha, had been described as "hard to manage" or "passionate", but said he could relate to the Dutch player of Nigerian descent. The striker is expected to follow him in moving from France to Chelsea in July.

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

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

Rosenior said goodbye at Strasbourg earlier this week before signing a long-term contract at Chelsea.

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

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