A Emotional Moment as Rosenior Breaks Barriers

"Liam Rosenior is an excellent coach who knows the game inside out, and that's the crucial factor.

"However, in my role as Chelsea's first African heritage footballer, it would be dishonest if I said this appointment doesn't move me."

These were the sentiments expressed by the former Chelsea winger, who made his historic debut for Chelsea's senior side off the bench in April 1982.

This week, the club appointed RC Strasbourg manager Liam Rosenior, aged 41, as their next manager after the exit of Enzo Maresca.

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

There have been just 12 of African or Caribbean heritage head coaches – not including individuals holding interim roles – in the Premier League since it began thirty-four in the past.

"One thing that impresses me regarding Rosenior is that he grew up and played not far from here, he understands this community," added Canoville.

"Whenever kids see someone like Liam managing the team they support, someone who looks like them, from a similar background, who comes from a family that fights for equality… it is powerful demonstrating that opportunities exist.

"Indeed, this represents a huge moment for Chelsea, for London, for every young person dreaming big.

"But right now? We must support Rosenior, give him what he needs, and let the man get on with the job."

What Do the Numbers Show?

The iconic Dutchman Ruud Gullit became Chelsea manager back in the nineties thereby becoming the Premier League's first African heritage manager.

Twelve years later, by 2008, Paul Ince became the first English black manager in the top flight after taking charge at Blackburn Rovers.

West Ham boss Nuno Espirito Santo is the sole additional present top flight boss from a minority ethnic background.

The shortage of ethnic minority managers across the English game is matched by a lack of diversity at executive level.

According to the BFP 2023 study, forty-three percent of top-flight players are from black backgrounds.

Yet, analysis from Kick It Out revealed just 3.2 percent of board and senior leadership management teams across most Premier League clubs are held by people from ethnically diverse communities.

Regarding first-team coaching level, based on figures from 11 clubs, the figure stands at two percent.

For all coaching positions – encompassing senior roles – from the same 11 clubs, the statistic is just 5%.

"He has undoubtedly made history by virtue of his appointment as a the Chelsea head coach, and we hope to see more of that," said Kick It Out CEO Samuel Okafor.

"We know that there exists loads of talent that exists within ethnic minority communities... they want the opportunity to demonstrate their capabilities. We need to continue to striving to break those barriers down."

Additionally, Rosenior is set to become one of only four full-time British head coaches currently in the Premier League – joining Sean Dyche, Eddie Howe as well as Scott Parker – a number that lags behind Europe's other big five divisions in terms of homegrown managers.

Sixteen out of twenty first division coaches in Italy are from Italy, Eleven of the 20 in Spain, 12 in the Bundesliga in Germany while Ten of the 18 in France.

The present Chelsea interim boss Calum McFarlane said: "I'm sure all aspiring British coaches with a youth development pedigree will be, to some degree no matter who you support, rooting for Liam.

"It is truly motivating to young English coaches in the system to witness an individual land such a role with that profile 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 the likes of West London clubs, West Ham and Queens Park Rangers, with his coaching stint peaked with a five-month stint in charge of the third-tier club Brentford back in 2006.

In 2019, he was awarded an MBE in the 2019 New Year Honours for his services in combating discrimination within the sport and beyond.

When Rosenior Jr retired from playing he pursued his father's footsteps. He started penning a column for a national newspaper, and in one piece he acknowledged the under-representation among managers. He highlighted that ethnicity does not determine coaching skill and said roles should be given on merit.

He also made a point he has often stated: that vast under-representation results in misunderstandings regarding footballers with diverse cultural and ethnic heritage.

In a podcast for a football podcast, he explained how his star striker, Emmanuel Emegha, had been described as "hard to manage" and "passionate", but said he could relate to the Dutch international with Nigerian parentage. Emegha is set to follow him with a move from France to West London in July.

In further Guardian columns, Rosenior also admitted to being "embarrassed" upon hearing a staff member make a discriminatory remark. He pledged his support for the Rainbow Laces initiative and authored a public message to Donald Trump during his first US presidency, accusing him of "blatant" prejudice.

He has subsequently built his reputation as a manager – initially with Hull City, then Strasbourg – and Wayne Rooney said this week he was "among the best coaches I've ever worked with" following their collaboration with Derby.

Rosenior said his farewells to his former club on Tuesday morning prior to putting pen to paper on a six‑and‑a‑half‑year deal with the Blues.

Chelsea boasted the top flight's first African heritage boss with Gullit and the first black captain named Paul Elliott.

Elliott has since worked in multiple executive roles, including the Football Association's equality board|