An Powerful Event when Liam Rosenior Shatters Boundaries

"He is an excellent manager who understands the game intimately, which is what matters most.

"However, as the Blues' first African heritage player, I would be lying if I said this news doesn't move me."

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

This week, Chelsea appointed RC Strasbourg boss Liam Rosenior, 41, as their new head coach following the departure of Enzo Maresca.

Strasbourg are part of the Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital-owned ownership group that also controls the London club.

There have been just 12 of African or Caribbean heritage head coaches – excluding individuals holding interim roles – in the Premier League since it began 34 in the past.

"What really strikes me about Liam is that he grew up and developed his game not far from here, he understands this community," continued Canoville.

"When youngsters see a figure like Rosenior in charge of the team they support, someone they can identify with, who's from their ends, who comes from a household that fights for what's right… that's powerful and shows them that opportunities exist.

"Indeed, this represents a massive step for Chelsea, for the capital, for all aspiring individual with big dreams.

"However, currently? Let's back Liam, give him what he needs, and let the man get on with the job."

What Does the Numbers Show?

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

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

The Hammers' boss Nuno Espirito Santo is the only other present top flight boss from a minority ethnic background.

The scarcity of managers of colour across English football corresponds with an absence of diversity in the boardroom.

As per the BFP 2023's report, 43% of top-flight players are from African or Caribbean heritage.

Yet, analysis from Kick It Out revealed only 3.2% of board and senior leadership positions at most Premier League clubs are from minority ethnic communities.

Regarding senior coaching level, according to data from eleven clubs, the percentage is two percent.

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

"He has undoubtedly made history in terms of him being announced as Chelsea manager, and we hope to see more of that," said Kick It Out CEO Samuel Okafor.

"We know there is loads of ability present within black and underrepresented groups... they desire the opportunity to show their capabilities. It is imperative to persist in striving to break those obstacles once and for all."

Additionally, the new appointee is set to become one of only four full-time British managers currently in the Premier League – joining Sean Dyche, Eddie Howe as well as Scott Parker – a number that trails Europe's remaining major divisions in terms of national representation.

16 out of twenty top-flight managers in Italy are Italian, 11 of the 20 are Spanish, Twelve of the 18 are German while Ten in Ligue 1 are French.

The present Blues caretaker manager Calum McFarlane said: "I'm sure every aspiring British coaches with a youth development pedigree are, in some way no matter who you support, supporting Liam.

"It is really motivating for up-and-coming British academy coaches to see someone get that job with that profile and we hope he does highly successful."

'Let's not forget – his appointment is based on talent'

Leroy Rosenior, Liam's father, had a career with the likes of West London clubs, West Ham and Queens Park Rangers, and his managerial career culminating in a five-month spell in charge of the third-tier club Brentford 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 to tackling inequality within the sport and wider society.

After Liam hung up his boots he pursued a path in management. He started penning a column for a national newspaper, where in 2017 he acknowledged the under-representation of black coaches. He highlighted that ethnicity does not influence ability arguing that roles must be awarded based on qualification.

He further expressed the view he would repeat: that significant under-representation results in misunderstandings of players with diverse cultural and ethnic heritage.

In a podcast for a football podcast, Rosenior highlighted how his star striker, Emmanuel Emegha, was labelled "difficult" and "emotional", noting that he could relate to the Netherlands international with Nigerian parentage. Emegha is set to join him with a move from Strasbourg to Chelsea in July.

In subsequent Guardian columns, Rosenior also admitted to being "ashamed" to hear an unnamed staff member utter a homophobic slur. He pledged his support for the Premier League's Rainbow Laces initiative and wrote a public message to the former US President while he was in office, condemning his "blatant" prejudice.

He has subsequently made his name in the dugout – first at Hull City, then Strasbourg – with Wayne Rooney said this week Rosenior was "among the best coaches I've ever worked with" after their time together with Derby.

Rosenior said goodbye at Strasbourg earlier this week prior to putting pen to paper on a long-term deal with the Blues.

Chelsea boasted the top flight's first black boss in Gullit as well as the first black skipper named Paul Elliott.

Elliott later held multiple executive roles, including the FA's diversity and inclusion board|