A Significant Moment when Liam Rosenior Overcomes Barriers

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

"But, as Chelsea's first African heritage footballer, it would be dishonest to claim this moment does not affect me."

These were the words of the former Chelsea winger, the man who made his groundbreaking debut for the Blues' first team as a substitute back in the spring of 1982.

On Tuesday, Chelsea appointed Strasbourg boss Rosenior, aged 41, as their new manager following the departure of manager Enzo Maresca.

The French club is part of the multi-club BlueCo which also owns the London club.

There have been a mere twelve of African or Caribbean heritage managers – excluding individuals in temporary caretaker roles – in the Premier League since it began thirty-four years ago.

"What really strikes me about Liam is that he grew up and played locally, he understands this community," continued Canoville.

"Whenever kids see someone like Liam managing their club, someone who looks like them, who's from their ends, from a family that champions what's right… it is impactful and shows them that opportunities exist.

"So yes, it is a massive moment for Chelsea, for London, for every young person dreaming big.

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

What Do the Numbers Indicate?

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

Twelve years later, in 2008, Paul Ince became the pioneering English black boss in the Premier League after taking charge at Blackburn Rovers.

West Ham manager Nuno Espirito Santo currently stands as the sole additional current top flight gaffer of colour.

The scarcity of ethnic minority managers throughout English football is matched by an absence of diversity at executive level.

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

Yet, research from the equality organization found only 3.2 percent of executive and leadership management teams across most Premier League clubs are held by people from minority ethnic backgrounds.

Regarding first-team coaching level, according to data from 11 clubs, the figure is 2%.

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

"He has undoubtedly made history in terms of his appointment as the Chelsea head coach, and as an organization, we hope to witness more such appointments," stated Kick It Out CEO Samuel Okafor.

"It is acknowledged there is loads of ability present within black and underrepresented groups... aspiring coaches desire the opportunity to show what they can do. We need to persist in striving to break those obstacles down."

Furthermore, the new appointee is set to become the fourth permanent English head coaches currently managing in the top flight – joining Sean Dyche, Eddie Howe and Scott Parker – which trails the continent's remaining big five divisions in terms of national managers.

Sixteen out of twenty top-flight coaches in Italy are from Italy, Eleven of the 20 in Spain, Twelve of the 18 are German while Ten of the 18 in France.

Current Chelsea interim boss Calum McFarlane commented: "I have no doubt all aspiring British managers from an academy background will be, in some way regardless of allegiance, supporting Liam.

"It's really motivating for young English academy coaches to see someone land that job with that profile and everyone hopes he will be highly successful."

It is vital to remember – he's there on merit'

His father, Leroy, Rosenior Sr., had a career with the likes of West London clubs, the Hammers as well as Queens Park Rangers, and his coaching stint peaked with a five-month spell in charge of then-League One side Brentford FC back in 2006.

In 2019, he was awarded an MBE in that year's 2019 New Year Honours for his services in combating discrimination within the sport and wider society.

When Rosenior Jr hung up his boots he followed his father's footsteps. He started penning articles for The Guardian, and in one piece he acknowledged the under-representation among managers. He pointed out that race does not determine coaching skill arguing that roles must be awarded based on qualification.

He also made a point he would repeat: that significant under-representation results in misunderstandings of players from different ethnic and cultural heritage.

In a podcast for a football podcast, Rosenior highlighted how his star striker, Emmanuel Emegha, was labelled "difficult" and "passionate", but said he could relate to the Dutch player with Nigerian parentage. The striker is expected to follow him with a move from Strasbourg to Chelsea in July.

In further Guardian columns, Rosenior also admitted to being "ashamed" to hear an unnamed staff member make a homophobic slur. He pledged his support for the Premier League's inclusion campaign and wrote an open letter to the former US President during his first US presidency, accusing him of "blatant" racism.

He has subsequently made his name in the dugout – initially with Hull City, later at Strasbourg – and Wayne Rooney said this week Rosenior was "among the best coaches I've ever worked with" following their collaboration with Derby.

The manager bid his farewells at Strasbourg earlier this week prior to putting pen to paper on a long-term contract at Chelsea.

Chelsea had the top flight's first black manager in Gullit and the first black captain in Paul Elliott.

Elliott has since held multiple executive roles, among them the FA's equality board|