A Powerful Milestone when Liam Rosenior Shatters Barriers

"He is a top coach who understands football back to front, and that's what matters most.

"However, as Chelsea's first African heritage player, it would be dishonest if I said this news doesn't move me."

These were the words expressed by Paul Canoville, who earned his historic first appearance for the Blues' first team off the bench in April 1982.

On Tuesday, Chelsea appointed RC Strasbourg manager Liam Rosenior, 41, to be their next head coach after the exit of Enzo Maresca.

The French club is within the multi-club BlueCo which also controls the London club.

There have been just 12 of African or Caribbean heritage managers – not including individuals holding temporary caretaker roles – in England's top flight since it began 34 in the past.

"One thing that impresses me regarding Rosenior is that he grew up and played not far from here, he understands this area," added 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 family that fights for equality… it is profound demonstrating the path is there.

"So yes, it is a huge step for the club, for London, for all young person with big dreams.

"But right now? Let's back Liam, give him what he needs, and allow him to get on with the job."

What Does the Data Reveal?

The iconic Dutchman Ruud Gullit was appointed the Blues' manager back in the nineties and became the top flight's inaugural black head coach.

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

West Ham manager Nuno Espirito Santo is the only other present top flight gaffer of colour.

The shortage of managers of colour across the English game corresponds with a lack of diversity in the boardroom.

According to the Black Footballers Partnership 2023 study, 43% of top-flight footballers come from African or Caribbean backgrounds.

However, research from Kick It Out found just 3.2% of executive and leadership positions across most Premier League clubs are from minority ethnic communities.

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

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

"He's certainly made history in terms of him being announced as a the Chelsea head coach, and we hope to witness more such appointments," said Kick It Out CEO Samuel Okafor.

"We know that there exists loads of talent present in the black and underrepresented communities... they desire the opportunity to show their capabilities. It is imperative to continue to work hard to dismantle those obstacles once and for all."

Additionally, Rosenior is set to become one of only four full-time British head coaches presently in the Premier League – alongside Sean Dyche, Eddie Howe and Scott Parker – which trails the continent's other major leagues in terms of homegrown managers.

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

Current Blues interim boss Calum McFarlane said: "I have no doubt every aspiring British managers from an academy background will be, in some way no matter who you support, rooting for Liam.

"It's truly inspirational to young English coaches in the system to witness an individual land such a role with that profile and everyone hopes he will be highly successful."

'Let's not forget – his appointment is due to ability'

Leroy Rosenior, Rosenior Sr., had a career with the likes of West London clubs, the Hammers as well as Queens Park Rangers, and his managerial career culminating in a five-month spell in charge of the third-tier club Brentford FC back in 2006.

Two years ago, he was awarded an MBE in the 2019 New Year Honours for services rendered in combating discrimination within the sport and beyond.

When Rosenior Jr hung up his boots he followed his father's footsteps. He began writing a column for a national newspaper, where in 2017 he acknowledged the under-representation among managers. He pointed out that race does not determine coaching skill and said roles must be awarded on merit.

He also made the view he has often stated: how significant lack of diversity results in a failure to understand regarding footballers with diverse cultural and ethnic heritage.

During an interview for a football podcast, he explained how his star striker, Emmanuel Emegha, was labelled "hard to manage" or "emotional", but said he could relate to the Netherlands player of Nigerian descent. Emegha is set to join him with a move from Strasbourg to West London in July.

In subsequent newspaper articles, he also confessed he was "embarrassed" upon hearing a staff member utter a discriminatory remark. He vowed his support for the Premier League's inclusion campaign and authored a public message to Donald Trump during his first US presidency, accusing him of "blatant" prejudice.

Rosenior has since built his reputation as a manager – first at Hull City, later at Strasbourg – and Wayne Rooney said this week he was "among the best coaches I've ever worked with" after their collaboration at Derby County.

Rosenior said goodbye at Strasbourg on Tuesday morning before signing a long-term contract at Chelsea.

Chelsea had the Premier League's first African heritage manager in Gullit and the first black captain named Paul Elliott.

Elliott later held several senior positions, among them the Football Association's diversity and inclusion board|