An Historic Milestone as Rosenior Breaks Boundaries

"Liam Rosenior is a top tactician that knows football inside out, and that's the most important thing.

"But, in my role as Chelsea's first African heritage player, it would be dishonest to claim this appointment fails to move me."

Those are the words expressed by the former Chelsea winger, the man who made his groundbreaking first appearance for the Blues' first team off the bench in April 1982.

This week, Chelsea named RC Strasbourg manager Rosenior, aged 41, as their next head coach following the exit of Enzo Maresca.

Strasbourg are part of a Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital-owned ownership group that also controls the London club.

There have been a mere 12 of African or Caribbean heritage managers – not including those holding interim positions – in the Premier League since it began 34 in the past.

"What really strikes me regarding Rosenior is that he grew up and developed his game not far from here, he knows this community," continued Canoville.

"When youngsters see someone like Liam managing their club, someone who looks like them, from a similar background, from a family that fights for equality… it is profound demonstrating that opportunities exist.

"Indeed, it is an enormous step for Chelsea, for London, for every aspiring individual with big dreams.

"However, currently? We must support Rosenior, give him the necessary tools, and let the man do his work."

What Exactly Does the Statistics Show?

The iconic Dutchman Ruud Gullit became the Blues' manager in 1996 thereby becoming the top flight's inaugural African heritage manager.

A dozen years on, in 2008, Paul Ince became the first black English boss in the Premier League after taking charge at Blackburn Rovers.

West Ham boss Nuno Espirito Santo currently stands as the only other present Premier League gaffer of colour.

The shortage of managers of colour across English football is matched by an absence of representation in the boardroom.

According to the BFP 2023's report, 43% of Premier League players are from African or Caribbean heritage.

However, analysis from the equality organization found just 3.2 percent of executive and leadership management teams at 17 of 20 Premier League clubs are from ethnically diverse communities.

At first-team coaching positions, according to figures from eleven clubs, the figure stands at two percent.

For all coaching positions – including senior roles – from the same 11 clubs, the figure is just 5%.

"He has undoubtedly broken barriers in terms of his appointment as Chelsea head coach, and we hope to see more of that," said Kick It Out CEO Samuel Okafor.

"We know that there exists a wealth of ability that exists within black and underrepresented communities... they want a chance to demonstrate their capabilities. It is imperative to continue to work hard to break those barriers down."

Furthermore, Rosenior will become one of only four full-time British managers currently in the Premier League – alongside Sean Dyche, Eddie Howe as well as Scott Parker – a number that lags behind the continent's other major leagues in terms of homegrown managers.

16 of the 20 first division coaches in Italy are from Italy, Eleven of the 20 in Spain, 12 in the Bundesliga in Germany while 10 of the 18 are French.

Current Chelsea interim boss Calum McFarlane commented: "I have no doubt all young English managers from an academy background are, in some way no matter who you support, rooting for Liam.

"It's truly inspirational to up-and-coming British academy coaches to witness an individual land that job with that profile and we hope he does really well."

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

His father, Leroy, Liam's father, played for the likes of Fulham, West Ham as well as Queens Park Rangers, with his coaching stint culminating in a brief spell at the third-tier club Brentford back in 2006.

In 2019, he received an MBE in the Honours List for services rendered to tackling inequality in football and beyond.

When Rosenior Jr retired from playing he followed his father's footsteps. He began penning articles for a national newspaper, and in one piece he addressed the under-representation of black coaches. He pointed out that race does not influence ability and said roles must be awarded on merit.

He also made the view he has often stated: that significant lack of diversity leads to misunderstandings regarding footballers with diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds.

In a podcast for a football podcast, he explained how his star striker, Emmanuel Emegha, was labelled "hard to manage" or "emotional", but said he understood the Dutch international with Nigerian parentage. The striker is expected to follow him with a move from Strasbourg to West London in July.

In subsequent newspaper articles, he also confessed he was "ashamed" to hear a staff member utter a discriminatory remark. He vowed his support for the Rainbow Laces initiative and wrote a public message to the former US President during his first US presidency, accusing him of "overt" prejudice.

Rosenior has since built his reputation in the dugout – initially with Hull City, then Strasbourg – and Wayne Rooney recently stating Rosenior was "as good a coach as I've ever worked with" after their collaboration with Derby.

The manager bid goodbye at Strasbourg earlier this week before signing a six‑and‑a‑half‑year contract with the Blues.

Chelsea had the top flight's first black manager in Gullit as well as the first black skipper in Paul Elliott.

Elliott later held several senior positions, among them the FA's diversity and inclusion board|