An Emotional Moment as Rosenior Breaks Boundaries

"He is a top tactician that understands football intimately, which is the crucial factor.

"However, as Chelsea's first black footballer, I would be lying to claim this news doesn't move me."

Those are the sentiments of Paul Canoville, the man who earned his historic debut for Chelsea's senior side as a substitute in the spring of 1982.

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

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

There have been only 12 black managers – excluding individuals in temporary caretaker roles – in England's top flight since it began thirty-four in the past.

"One thing that impresses me about Liam is that he grew up and developed his game locally, he understands the local fans," continued Canoville.

"When children observe a figure like Rosenior in charge of their club, someone who looks like them, who's from their ends, from a household that fights for equality… it is impactful demonstrating the path is there.

"So yes, it is an enormous step for Chelsea, for London, for every young person with big dreams.

"But right now? Let's back Liam, give him what he needs, and allow him to do his work."

What Does the Statistics Show?

Dutch legend Ruud Gullit became the Blues' manager in 1996 thereby becoming the top flight's first African heritage manager.

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

West Ham manager Nuno Espirito Santo is the sole additional present Premier League boss from a minority ethnic background.

The lack of managers of colour across the English game is matched by an absence of representation at executive level.

As per the BFP 2023 study, 43% of Premier League players come from African or Caribbean heritage.

However, analysis from Kick It Out found just 3.2% of board and senior leadership positions across 17 of 20 Premier League clubs are from ethnically diverse backgrounds.

Regarding senior coaching positions, based on figures from 11 clubs, the percentage stands at 2%.

Across all coaching roles – encompassing head coaches – from the same 11 clubs, the figure is just 5%.

"He's certainly made history by virtue of him being announced as Chelsea head coach, and we want to witness more such appointments," said the chief executive of Kick It Out Samuel Okafor.

"We know that there exists a wealth of ability present in the ethnic minority groups... they want the opportunity to demonstrate what they can do. It is imperative to persist in striving to break those barriers once and for all."

Furthermore, the new appointee is set to become the fourth full-time English managers currently in the Premier League – alongside Sean Dyche, Eddie Howe and Scott Parker – which lags behind Europe's other major leagues in terms of national representation.

16 of the 20 first division coaches in Serie A are from Italy, Eleven of the 20 in Spain, 12 in the Bundesliga in Germany and 10 of the 18 in France.

Current Blues interim boss Calum McFarlane said: "I'm sure all young English managers with a youth development pedigree are, in some way no matter who you support, supporting Liam.

"It's truly inspirational to up-and-coming British academy coaches to witness someone get that job with his background and we hope he will be really well."

'Let's not forget – he's there due to ability'

His father, Leroy, Liam's father, played for clubs such as West London clubs, the Hammers and Queens Park Rangers, with his coaching stint culminating in a five-month stint at then-League One side Brentford in 2006.

Two years ago, he was awarded a Member of the Order of the British Empire in the 2019 New Year Honours for his services to tackling inequality in football and wider society.

After Liam retired from playing he followed a path in management. He began penning a column for a national newspaper, where in 2017 he acknowledged the lack of diversity among managers. He pointed out that ethnicity does not influence ability and said roles must be awarded based on qualification.

He also made a point he would repeat: that vast under-representation results in misunderstandings regarding footballers from different ethnic and cultural backgrounds.

During an interview for a football podcast, Rosenior highlighted the way his leading forward, Emmanuel Emegha, had been described as "hard to manage" and "emotional", noting that he could relate to the Netherlands player with Nigerian parentage. The striker is expected to join him in moving from France to Chelsea in July.

In subsequent newspaper articles, Rosenior also admitted he was "ashamed" upon hearing a staff member make a discriminatory remark. He pledged support for the Premier League's Rainbow Laces initiative and authored an open letter to the former US President while he was in office, accusing him of "blatant" racism.

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

Rosenior said goodbye to his former club earlier this week prior to putting pen to paper on a long-term contract at Chelsea.

Chelsea had the Premier League's first black manager with Gullit and the first black captain named Paul Elliott.

Elliott later worked in several senior positions, including the Football Association's diversity and inclusion board|