A Historic Occasion when Rosenior Breaks Barriers

"Rosenior represents a top coach who knows the game intimately, and that's what matters most.

"But, as the Blues' first black player, I would be lying to claim this appointment does not affect me."

These were the sentiments expressed by the former Chelsea winger, the man who made his groundbreaking debut for Chelsea's senior side as a substitute back in April 1982.

This week, the club hired RC Strasbourg boss Liam Rosenior, aged 41, as their new head coach after the departure of Enzo Maresca.

Strasbourg are part of the multi-club BlueCo that also owns the London club.

There have been a mere twelve of African or Caribbean heritage managers – excluding those in temporary caretaker roles – in the Premier League since it began 34 in the past.

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

"Whenever kids see a figure like Rosenior managing their club, someone who looks like them, from a similar background, who comes from a household that fights for equality… it is profound and shows them that opportunities exist.

"So yes, this represents an enormous step for the club, for London, for all young person dreaming big.

"But right now? We must support Rosenior, provide him with what he needs, and allow him to get on with the job."

What Does the Data Reveal?

Dutch legend Ruud Gullit was appointed the Blues' head coach back in the nineties thereby becoming the Premier League's inaugural African heritage head coach.

Twelve years later, by 2008, Paul Ince became the first English black manager in the Premier League when he took over Blackburn Rovers.

The Hammers' manager Nuno Espirito Santo currently stands as the only other present Premier League gaffer of colour.

The shortage of managers of colour throughout English football is matched by a lack of representation at executive level.

As per the BFP 2023 study, 43% of Premier League players are from black backgrounds.

Yet, analysis from the equality organization revealed only 3.2 percent of executive and leadership management teams across most Premier League clubs are held by people from minority ethnic communities.

Regarding first-team coaching level, according to figures from eleven clubs, the figure is two percent.

Across all coaching roles – including head coaches – from those same 11 clubs, the statistic is 5%.

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

"It is acknowledged that there exists a wealth of ability present within black and underrepresented groups... aspiring coaches want a chance to demonstrate what they can do. It is imperative to continue to work hard to break those obstacles down."

Additionally, the new appointee is set to become the fourth 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 divisions in terms of national managers.

Sixteen out of twenty first division coaches in Italy are from Italy, Eleven of the 20 are Spanish, 12 in the Bundesliga are German and 10 in Ligue 1 in France.

Current Chelsea interim boss Calum McFarlane commented: "I have no doubt every young English managers with a youth development pedigree will be, in some way no matter who you support, supporting Liam.

"It's really motivating to young English coaches in the system to see an individual get that job with his background and we hope he will be really well."

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

His father, Leroy, Rosenior Sr., played for the likes of West London clubs, the Hammers as well as Queens Park Rangers, with his managerial career culminating in a five-month spell at the third-tier club Brentford FC back in 2006.

In 2019, he received an MBE in that year's 2019 New Year Honours for services rendered in combating discrimination within the sport and beyond.

When Rosenior Jr hung up his boots he followed his father's footsteps. He started penning articles for a national newspaper, and in one piece he acknowledged the under-representation of black coaches. He pointed out that ethnicity does not determine ability arguing that roles should be given based on qualification.

He also made the view he has often stated: that significant under-representation results in a failure to understand of players with diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds.

During an interview with The Athletic FC, Rosenior highlighted the way his star striker, Emmanuel Emegha, was labelled "hard to manage" or "emotional", noting that he could relate to the Dutch player of Nigerian descent. Emegha is set to join him with a move from France to West London in July.

In subsequent newspaper articles, he also confessed to being "ashamed" to hear an unnamed staff member make a homophobic slur. He vowed support for the inclusion campaign and authored an open letter to Donald Trump during his first US presidency, accusing him of "blatant" prejudice.

Rosenior has since made his name as a manager – initially with Hull City, then Strasbourg – and Wayne Rooney recently stating he was "among the best coaches I've ever worked with" after their collaboration with Derby.

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

The Blues boasted the top flight's pioneering African heritage boss in Gullit as well as the first black captain in Paul Elliott.

Elliott has since worked in several executive roles, among them the Football Association's equality board|