An Emotional Occasion as Rosenior Shatters Obstacles

"He is a top manager that understands the game back to front, which is the most important thing.

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

Those are the sentiments of the former Chelsea winger, the man who made his groundbreaking debut for the Blues' first team off the bench back in April 1982.

On Tuesday, the club appointed RC Strasbourg boss Rosenior, aged 41, as their next manager after the departure of Enzo Maresca.

The French club is part of a Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital-owned BlueCo that also owns Chelsea.

Statistics show a mere twelve of African or Caribbean heritage head coaches – excluding individuals holding temporary caretaker positions – in England's top flight since its inception 34 in the past.

"What really strikes me regarding Rosenior is he grew up and played locally, he understands this area," continued Canoville.

"Whenever kids observe a figure like Rosenior managing the team they support, someone who looks like them, from a similar background, who comes from a family that fights for equality… that's impactful and shows them the path is there.

"Indeed, this represents an enormous step for the club, 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 do his work."

What Exactly Do the Numbers Show?

The iconic Dutchman Ruud Gullit was appointed the Blues' manager in 1996 and became the top flight's first African heritage head coach.

Twelve years later, in 2008, Paul Ince was appointed as the first English black manager in the top flight when he took over Blackburn Rovers.

West Ham manager Nuno Espirito Santo is the only other present top flight boss from a minority ethnic background.

The shortage of managers of colour throughout English football corresponds with a lack of diversity in the boardroom.

As per the BFP 2023 report, forty-three percent of top-flight players come from African or Caribbean heritage.

However, research from the equality organization found only 3.2 percent of executive and leadership positions at 17 of 20 Premier League clubs are held by people from minority ethnic backgrounds.

At first-team coaching level, based on data from eleven clubs, the percentage stands at 2%.

For all coaching positions – encompassing head coaches – from the same eleven clubs, the figure is five percent.

"He has undoubtedly broken barriers by virtue of him being announced as a the Chelsea manager, and we hope to witness more such appointments," stated Kick It Out CEO Samuel Okafor.

"It is acknowledged that there exists a wealth of talent that exists within black and underrepresented groups... aspiring coaches desire the opportunity to show their capabilities. We need to persist in striving to dismantle those barriers once and for all."

Furthermore, Rosenior will become the fourth permanent English managers currently managing in the top flight – alongside Sean Dyche, Eddie Howe and Scott Parker – a number that lags behind Europe's other big five divisions in terms of national representation.

16 of the 20 top-flight coaches in Serie A are Italian, 11 of the 20 in Spain, Twelve in the Bundesliga in Germany and 10 of the 18 in France.

Current Chelsea interim boss Calum McFarlane commented: "I have no doubt every aspiring British coaches with a youth development pedigree are, to some degree regardless of allegiance, rooting for Liam.

"It is truly inspirational for up-and-coming British academy coaches to see an individual land such a role with his background and everyone hopes he will be really well."

'Let's not forget – his appointment is on merit'

His father, Leroy, Liam's father, had a career with the likes of West London clubs, the Hammers as well as Queens Park Rangers, and his managerial career culminating in a brief stint at then-League One side Brentford FC back in 2006.

In 2019, he was awarded a Member of the Order of the British Empire in that year's Honours List for his services in combating inequality within the sport and beyond.

When Rosenior Jr hung up his boots he pursued a path in management. He started writing a column for a national newspaper, and in one piece he acknowledged the lack of diversity of black coaches. He highlighted that ethnicity does not influence coaching skill and said roles must be awarded on merit.

He further expressed a point he would repeat: how vast under-representation results in misunderstandings regarding footballers from different ethnic and cultural heritage.

During an interview with The Athletic FC, Rosenior highlighted how his star striker, Emmanuel Emegha, had been described as "difficult" or "passionate", but said he understood the Netherlands international of Nigerian descent. Emegha is set to follow him in moving from France to West London in July.

In further Guardian columns, Rosenior also admitted to being "ashamed" to hear a coach utter a homophobic slur. He pledged support for the Premier League's inclusion initiative and authored a public message to the former US President while he was in office, accusing him of "overt" prejudice.

Rosenior has since built his reputation in the dugout – first at Hull City, later at Strasbourg – and Wayne Rooney recently stating he was "among the best coaches I've ever worked with" after their time together with Derby.

The manager bid his farewells at Strasbourg earlier this week before signing a long-term deal at Chelsea.

The Blues boasted the top flight's pioneering black manager with Gullit and the first black skipper named Paul Elliott.

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