A Emotional Moment when Rosenior Shatters Boundaries

"He is a top coach who understands the game inside out, which is what matters most.

"However, as the Blues' pioneering black footballer, I would be lying if I said this appointment doesn't move me."

These were the sentiments expressed by the former Chelsea winger, the man who made his groundbreaking first appearance for the Blues' first team off the bench back in the spring of 1982.

This week, the club hired RC Strasbourg boss Rosenior, 41, to be their next manager after the departure of manager Enzo Maresca.

Strasbourg are within the multi-club BlueCo that also controls the London club.

Statistics show a mere twelve of African or Caribbean heritage head coaches – not including those in temporary caretaker positions – in the Premier League since it began 34 in the past.

"What really strikes me regarding Rosenior is he was raised and played not far from here, he knows the local fans," continued Canoville.

"Whenever children observe a figure like Rosenior in charge of the team they support, a person they can identify with, from a similar background, from a family that champions what's right… that's impactful demonstrating that opportunities exist.

"Indeed, it is a massive step for Chelsea, for the capital, for every young person dreaming big.

"But right now? Let's back Liam, provide him with the necessary tools, and allow him to do his work."

What Does the Data Show?

The iconic Dutchman Ruud Gullit was appointed Chelsea manager back in the nineties and became the Premier League's first African heritage head coach.

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

West Ham manager Nuno Espirito Santo is the only other present Premier League gaffer from a minority ethnic background.

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

According to the BFP 2023 study, forty-three percent of Premier League footballers come from African or Caribbean backgrounds.

Yet, analysis by Kick It Out found just 3.2% of board and senior leadership management teams at 17 of 20 Premier League clubs are held by people from minority ethnic communities.

Regarding senior coaching level, according to data provided by eleven clubs, the figure is 2%.

Across all coaching positions – including senior roles – from the same 11 clubs, the statistic is five percent.

"He's certainly made history in terms of his appointment as the Chelsea head coach, and as an organization, we want to see more of that," said Kick It Out CEO Samuel Okafor.

"It is acknowledged that there exists a wealth of ability present in the black and underrepresented groups... they want a chance to show their capabilities. It is imperative to continue to striving to break those barriers once and for all."

Furthermore, the new appointee will become one of only four full-time English head coaches currently managing in the top flight – alongside Sean Dyche, Eddie Howe and Scott Parker – a number that lags behind Europe's remaining major divisions in terms of homegrown managers.

Sixteen out of twenty top-flight coaches in Serie A are from Italy, 11 of the 20 in Spain, Twelve of the 18 in Germany while Ten of the 18 are French.

Current Chelsea caretaker manager Calum McFarlane said: "I'm sure all aspiring British managers from an academy background will be, to some degree regardless of allegiance, rooting for Liam.

"It's really inspirational to young English academy coaches to see an individual land that job with his background and we hope he will be highly successful."

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

His father, Leroy, Rosenior Sr., played for clubs such as Fulham, the Hammers as well as Queens Park Rangers, with his coaching stint culminating in a brief stint in charge of then-League One side Brentford FC back in 2006.

Two years ago, he received an MBE in the 2019 New Year Honours for his services to tackling inequality in football and wider society.

After Liam retired from playing he followed his father's footsteps. He started writing articles for a national newspaper, and in one piece he acknowledged the under-representation among managers. He pointed out that ethnicity does not influence ability and said opportunities must be awarded based on qualification.

He also made the view he has often stated: how vast lack of diversity results in a failure to understand regarding footballers with diverse cultural and ethnic heritage.

During an interview for a football podcast, Rosenior highlighted how his star striker, Emmanuel Emegha, had been described as "hard to manage" and "passionate", noting that he understood the Netherlands player of Nigerian descent. The striker is expected to join him in moving from France to Chelsea in July.

In subsequent newspaper articles, he also confessed to being "embarrassed" to hear an unnamed staff member make a discriminatory remark. He vowed his support for the Rainbow Laces initiative and wrote a public message to Donald Trump during his first US presidency, accusing him of "overt" prejudice.

He has subsequently built his reputation as a manager – initially with Hull City, later at Strasbourg – with Wayne Rooney said this week Rosenior was "as good a coach as I've ever worked with" following their collaboration at Derby County.

The manager bid goodbye 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 top flight's first African heritage manager in Gullit as well as the first black skipper in Paul Elliott.

Elliott has since held several executive roles, among them the FA's diversity and inclusion board|