A Moving Milestone when Rosenior Breaks Obstacles

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

"However, in my role as the Blues' first African heritage footballer, I would be lying if I said this appointment fails to move me."

These were the sentiments of the former Chelsea winger, the man who earned his groundbreaking first appearance for Chelsea's senior side as a substitute back in April 1982.

On Tuesday, Chelsea appointed Strasbourg manager Rosenior, aged 41, as their next manager following the exit of manager Enzo Maresca.

Strasbourg are within a Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital-owned BlueCo that also owns the London club.

Statistics show only twelve black head coaches – not including those holding temporary caretaker roles – in England's top flight since its inception 34 years ago.

"One thing that impresses me regarding Rosenior is he was raised and played not far from here, he understands this area," continued Canoville.

"Whenever children see a figure like Rosenior managing the team they support, someone who looks like them, from a similar background, who comes from a household that fights for equality… it is impactful demonstrating the path is there.

"So yes, it is a huge moment for Chelsea, for London, for all aspiring individual with big dreams.

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

What Do the Data Show?

Dutch legend Ruud Gullit was appointed Chelsea manager in 1996 thereby becoming the Premier League's first African heritage manager.

A dozen years on, by 2008, Paul Ince was appointed as the first English black manager in the top flight after taking charge at Blackburn Rovers.

West Ham manager Nuno Espirito Santo is the only other current top flight boss of colour.

The shortage of ethnic minority managers throughout the English game corresponds with an absence of representation at executive level.

According to a BFP 2023 report, 43% of top-flight players come from African or Caribbean heritage.

Yet, research from the equality organization revealed just 3.2 percent 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, based on data from eleven clubs, the figure is two percent.

Across all coaching positions – encompassing head coaches – from the same eleven clubs, the statistic is 5%.

"He's certainly made history in terms of his appointment as a the Chelsea manager, and we hope to witness more such appointments," said Kick It Out CEO Samuel Okafor.

"It is acknowledged there is loads of ability present in the black and underrepresented groups... they want a chance to show what they can do. It is imperative to persist in work hard to break those barriers down."

Furthermore, the new appointee will become the fourth full-time English managers currently in the Premier League – joining Sean Dyche, Eddie Howe as well as Scott Parker – which lags behind Europe's remaining big five leagues regarding national representation.

Sixteen of the 20 first division managers in Serie A are Italian, Eleven of the 20 are Spanish, 12 in the Bundesliga are German while Ten in Ligue 1 are French.

The present Blues interim boss Calum McFarlane commented: "I'm sure all young English coaches with a youth development pedigree will be, to some degree regardless of allegiance, rooting for Liam.

"It's really inspirational for young English coaches in the system to see someone land such a role with that profile and we hope he will be really well."

'Let's not forget – he's there based on talent'

Leroy Rosenior, Rosenior Sr., had a career with clubs such as West London clubs, West Ham and Queens Park Rangers, and his managerial career culminating in a brief spell at the third-tier club Brentford 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 wider society.

When Rosenior Jr hung up his boots he pursued his father's footsteps. He began writing articles for a national newspaper, where in 2017 he addressed the lack of diversity among managers. He pointed out that ethnicity does not influence coaching skill arguing that opportunities should be given on merit.

He further expressed a point he has often stated: that vast lack of diversity results in a failure to understand regarding footballers with diverse ethnic and cultural heritage.

During an interview with The Athletic FC, Rosenior highlighted how his leading forward, Emmanuel Emegha, had been described as "difficult" or "emotional", noting that he could relate to the Netherlands player with Nigerian parentage. The striker is expected to join him with a move from Strasbourg to West London this summer.

In further newspaper articles, he also confessed to being "embarrassed" upon hearing a staff member utter a discriminatory remark. He pledged his support for the inclusion initiative and wrote a public message to the former US President during his first US presidency, condemning his "overt" racism.

He has subsequently built his reputation in the dugout – initially with Hull City, later at Strasbourg – with Wayne Rooney recently stating he was "as good a coach as I've ever worked with" following their time together with Derby.

The manager bid his farewells at Strasbourg on Tuesday morning before signing a long-term deal with the Blues.

The Blues had the Premier League's pioneering black manager with Gullit and the first black captain in Paul Elliott.

Elliott has since worked in several senior positions, including the FA's diversity and inclusion board|