A Moving Occasion when Rosenior Breaks Barriers

"Liam Rosenior is an excellent coach that knows football back to front, and that's the crucial factor.

"But, as the Blues' first African heritage footballer, I would be lying if I said this moment does not affect me."

Those are the sentiments of Paul Canoville, the man who earned his groundbreaking debut for the Blues' first team as a substitute in the spring of 1982.

This week, the club appointed Strasbourg boss Rosenior, 41, as their next manager following the exit of manager Enzo Maresca.

The French club is within the multi-club BlueCo that also owns the London club.

Statistics show a mere twelve black head coaches – not including individuals holding interim positions – in England's top flight since its inception 34 in the past.

"One thing that impresses me about Liam is that he grew up and developed his game not far from here, he knows the local fans," added Canoville.

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

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

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

What Do the Statistics Show?

Dutch legend Ruud Gullit was appointed the Blues' head coach back in the nineties thereby becoming the top flight's inaugural black manager.

A dozen years on, in 2008, Paul Ince was appointed as the first English black manager in the top flight when he took over Blackburn Rovers.

West Ham boss Nuno Espirito Santo is the sole additional current Premier League gaffer of colour.

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

According to the BFP 2023 study, forty-three percent of Premier League footballers come from African or Caribbean heritage.

Yet, research by Kick It Out found just 3.2 percent of board and senior leadership positions across 17 of 20 Premier League clubs are held by people from minority ethnic communities.

Regarding senior coaching positions, based on data provided by eleven clubs, the figure is two percent.

For all coaching roles – including head coaches – from the same eleven clubs, the statistic is just 5%.

"He has undoubtedly made history in terms of him being announced as a the 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... aspiring coaches desire the opportunity to show what they can do. It is imperative to persist in striving to break those barriers once and for all."

Additionally, the new appointee is set to become the fourth full-time British managers presently managing in the top flight – joining Sean Dyche, Eddie Howe as well as Scott Parker – a number that trails the continent's other major leagues in terms of homegrown managers.

16 of the 20 first division managers in Serie A are Italian, Eleven of the 20 are Spanish, 12 of the 18 are German while Ten in Ligue 1 in France.

The present Blues caretaker manager Calum McFarlane commented: "I'm sure all young English managers from an academy background are, in some way regardless of allegiance, rooting for Liam.

"It is truly inspirational for up-and-coming British academy coaches to see someone get that job with that profile and we hope he will be really well."

It is vital to remember – his appointment is on merit'

His father, Leroy, Rosenior Sr., had a career with the likes of Fulham, West Ham and Queens Park Rangers, with his managerial career peaked with a brief spell in charge of the third-tier club Brentford FC back in 2006.

Two years ago, he was awarded a Member of the Order of the British Empire in the Honours List for services rendered in combating discrimination in football and wider society.

When Rosenior Jr hung up his boots he followed his father's footsteps. He began writing articles for a national newspaper, and in one piece he acknowledged the under-representation of black coaches. He pointed out that ethnicity does not influence ability and said opportunities should be given based on qualification.

He further expressed a point he has often stated: that significant under-representation leads to misunderstandings of players from different ethnic and cultural backgrounds.

During an interview with The Athletic FC, he explained the way his star striker, Emmanuel Emegha, was labelled "hard to manage" and "emotional", noting that he understood the Dutch player with Nigerian parentage. Emegha is set to join him in moving from Strasbourg to Chelsea this summer.

In subsequent newspaper articles, he also confessed he was "ashamed" upon hearing a coach make a discriminatory remark. He pledged support for the Rainbow Laces campaign and wrote a public message to Donald Trump while he was in office, condemning his "blatant" prejudice.

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

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

The Blues boasted the Premier League's first African heritage manager in Gullit as well as the first black captain in Paul Elliott.

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