A Emotional Event as Rosenior Overcomes Barriers

"He is a quality manager that understands the game intimately, which is the crucial factor.

"But, in my role as the Blues' first African heritage footballer, it would be dishonest if I said this news fails to move me."

These were the words of Paul Canoville, who made his historic first appearance for Chelsea's senior side as a substitute back in April 1982.

This week, the club hired Strasbourg manager Liam Rosenior, 41, as their new head coach following the exit of Enzo Maresca.

Strasbourg are within the Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital-owned BlueCo which also controls the London club.

There have been only twelve black managers – not including those holding interim roles – in England's top flight since its inception 34 in the past.

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

"When children see someone like Liam in charge of their club, a person they can identify with, from a similar background, from a household that fights for what's right… that's powerful demonstrating the path is there.

"So yes, this represents a huge moment for Chelsea, for London, for all young person dreaming big.

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

What Exactly Do the Numbers Show?

The iconic Dutchman Ruud Gullit became Chelsea head coach in 1996 thereby becoming the Premier League's first African heritage head coach.

Twelve years later, in 2008, Paul Ince was appointed as the pioneering black English boss in the top flight after taking charge at Blackburn Rovers.

The Hammers' boss Nuno Espirito Santo is the only other current Premier League gaffer from a minority ethnic background.

The scarcity of managers of colour across the English game corresponds with a lack of diversity at executive level.

According to a BFP 2023's study, 43% of top-flight players are from black backgrounds.

Yet, analysis from the equality organization found only 3.2% of board and senior leadership positions across 17 of 20 Premier League clubs are from minority ethnic backgrounds.

Regarding first-team coaching level, based on data provided by 11 clubs, the figure stands at two percent.

For all coaching positions – encompassing head coaches – from the same 11 clubs, the figure is five percent.

"He has undoubtedly broken barriers by virtue of his appointment as Chelsea manager, and we hope to see more of that," stated Kick It Out CEO Samuel Okafor.

"It is acknowledged there is loads of ability that exists in the ethnic minority communities... aspiring coaches desire a chance to show what they can do. We need to continue to striving to dismantle those obstacles down."

Additionally, Rosenior will become the fourth full-time British managers presently in the Premier League – joining Sean Dyche, Eddie Howe as well as Scott Parker – a number that lags behind Europe's other major divisions in terms of national representation.

16 of the 20 first division managers in Italy are from Italy, 11 of the 20 in Spain, 12 of the 18 in Germany while 10 of the 18 are French.

Current Chelsea interim boss Calum McFarlane said: "I have no doubt every young English managers with a youth development pedigree are, to some degree no matter who you support, rooting for Liam.

"It is really motivating for young English academy coaches to see an individual get such a role with his background and we hope he does highly successful."

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

His father, Leroy, Rosenior Sr., had a career with clubs such as Fulham, West Ham and Queens Park Rangers, with his coaching stint culminating in a five-month stint at the third-tier club Brentford 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 inequality within the sport and wider society.

When Rosenior Jr hung up his boots he pursued his father's footsteps. He started penning a column for a national newspaper, where in 2017 he acknowledged the lack of diversity of black coaches. He pointed out that race does not influence coaching skill and said roles should be given based on qualification.

He further expressed the view he has often stated: that vast lack of diversity results in misunderstandings regarding footballers from different cultural and ethnic heritage.

During an interview for a football podcast, Rosenior highlighted the way his star striker, Emmanuel Emegha, was labelled "hard to manage" and "passionate", but said he could relate to the Dutch player of Nigerian descent. The striker is expected to follow him in moving from France to Chelsea this summer.

In further newspaper articles, he also confessed he was "embarrassed" to hear an unnamed coach utter a discriminatory remark. He pledged his support for the Rainbow Laces initiative and wrote a public message to Donald Trump while he was in office, accusing him of "blatant" racism.

Rosenior has since built his reputation in the dugout – first at Hull City, later at Strasbourg – and Wayne Rooney said this week Rosenior was "as good a coach as I've ever worked with" following their time together at Derby County.

Rosenior said his farewells to his former club on Tuesday morning before signing a long-term deal at Chelsea.

The Blues had the top flight's pioneering black boss in Gullit and the first black captain in Paul Elliott.

Elliott has since held several executive roles, among them the Football Association's equality board|