An Powerful Occasion when Rosenior Shatters Barriers

"He is an excellent manager who understands the game back to front, 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 news does not affect me."

These were the words of Paul Canoville, the man who made his historic first appearance for Chelsea's senior side off the bench in the spring of 1982.

On Tuesday, Chelsea hired Strasbourg manager Liam Rosenior, aged 41, as their new manager following the departure of manager Enzo Maresca.

Strasbourg are part of a Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital-owned BlueCo which also owns Chelsea.

There have been a mere twelve black managers – not including individuals in temporary caretaker roles – in the Premier League since it began 34 years ago.

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

"Whenever youngsters see someone like Liam managing their club, a person who looks like them, from a similar background, from a household that champions what's right… it is powerful and shows them the path is there.

"So yes, it is a huge step for the club, for London, for every aspiring individual dreaming big.

"However, currently? Let's back Liam, provide him with what he needs, and let the man do his work."

What Do the Data Indicate?

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

Twelve years later, by 2008, Paul Ince was appointed as the pioneering black English manager in the Premier League after taking charge at Blackburn Rovers.

The Hammers' boss Nuno Espirito Santo currently stands as the sole additional present Premier League gaffer of colour.

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

According to a BFP 2023's report, forty-three percent of Premier League players are from African or Caribbean heritage.

However, research by the equality organization revealed just 3.2 percent of board and senior leadership positions at 17 of 20 Premier League clubs are held by people from minority ethnic communities.

At senior coaching level, based on data from 11 clubs, the percentage is 2%.

Across all coaching roles – encompassing senior roles – from the same eleven clubs, the statistic is five percent.

"He has undoubtedly broken barriers by virtue of him being announced as a Chelsea head coach, and as an organization, we hope to witness more such appointments," said Kick It Out CEO Samuel Okafor.

"It is acknowledged there is a wealth of ability present within ethnic minority communities... they desire the opportunity to demonstrate what they can do. We need to continue to striving to dismantle those obstacles down."

Additionally, Rosenior will become one of only four full-time British head coaches presently managing in the top flight – alongside Sean Dyche, Eddie Howe and Scott Parker – which trails the continent's remaining big five divisions in terms of homegrown managers.

16 out of twenty top-flight managers in Serie A are Italian, Eleven in La Liga in Spain, Twelve in the Bundesliga are German while Ten in Ligue 1 are French.

The present Chelsea caretaker manager Calum McFarlane commented: "I'm sure every young English managers with a youth development pedigree will be, to some degree regardless of allegiance, rooting for Liam.

"It is really motivating to up-and-coming British coaches in the system to see someone land such a role with his background and everyone hopes he does really well."

It is vital to remember – his appointment is due to ability'

Leroy Rosenior, Liam's father, had a career with the likes of West London clubs, West Ham as well as Queens Park Rangers, and his managerial career peaked with a brief stint at the third-tier club Brentford FC back in 2006.

Two years ago, he received a Member of the Order of the British Empire in the 2019 New Year Honours for services rendered in combating discrimination within the sport and beyond.

After Liam hung up his boots he pursued his father's footsteps. He started writing a column for a national newspaper, and in one piece he acknowledged the under-representation among managers. He pointed out that ethnicity does not influence ability arguing that roles must be awarded based on qualification.

He further expressed a point he has often stated: that vast lack of diversity leads to misunderstandings regarding footballers with diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds.

In a podcast for a football podcast, 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 with a move from Strasbourg to West London this summer.

In subsequent Guardian columns, he also confessed to being "embarrassed" upon hearing a coach utter a discriminatory remark. He pledged his support for the Premier League's inclusion campaign and authored a public message to the former US President while he was in office, condemning his "blatant" racism.

He has subsequently made his name in the dugout – initially with Hull City, later at Strasbourg – and Wayne Rooney said this week he was "among the best coaches I've ever worked with" following their collaboration at Derby County.

Rosenior said goodbye to his former club earlier this week prior to putting pen to paper on a six‑and‑a‑half‑year contract at Chelsea.

The Blues had the Premier League's pioneering African heritage boss with Gullit as well as the first black skipper named Paul Elliott.

Elliott later held multiple senior positions, including the FA's diversity and inclusion board|