An Historic Milestone as Rosenior Shatters Boundaries

"Liam Rosenior is a quality tactician that knows the game inside out, and that's the crucial factor.

"But, as Chelsea's first African heritage footballer, it would be dishonest to claim this news doesn't move me."

Those are the sentiments of Paul Canoville, the man who made his historic first appearance for the Blues' first team as a substitute in the spring of 1982.

This week, the club named RC Strasbourg manager Liam Rosenior, 41, to be their next manager following the exit of Enzo Maresca.

Strasbourg are within a multi-club BlueCo that also controls the London club.

There have been a mere twelve black managers – excluding those in temporary caretaker roles – in the Premier League since its inception 34 years ago.

"What really strikes me regarding Rosenior is that he was raised and developed his game locally, he understands the local fans," continued Canoville.

"When youngsters see someone like Liam in charge of their club, a person they can identify with, who's from their ends, who comes from a family that fights for what's right… that's powerful demonstrating that opportunities exist.

"So yes, it is a massive moment for Chelsea, for the capital, for every young person with big dreams.

"However, currently? Let's back Liam, provide him with what he needs, and let the man do his work."

What Exactly Do the Data Reveal?

The iconic Dutchman Ruud Gullit became the Blues' manager in 1996 thereby becoming the top flight's first African heritage manager.

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

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

The lack of managers of colour across English football is matched by a lack of diversity in the boardroom.

According to the BFP 2023's study, 43% of top-flight footballers are from African or Caribbean backgrounds.

However, analysis by Kick It Out revealed only 3.2 percent of executive and leadership management teams at 17 of 20 Premier League clubs are held by people from ethnically diverse backgrounds.

Regarding senior coaching level, based on figures provided by 11 clubs, the figure is 2%.

Across all coaching positions – encompassing senior roles – from the same 11 clubs, the figure is just five percent.

"He's certainly broken barriers by virtue of his appointment as a the Chelsea head coach, and we hope to witness more such appointments," said Kick It Out CEO Samuel Okafor.

"It is acknowledged there is a wealth of talent that exists in the black and underrepresented groups... they desire the opportunity to demonstrate what they can do. We need to persist in striving to break those obstacles down."

Additionally, the new appointee will become one of only four full-time English managers currently managing in the top flight – alongside Sean Dyche, Eddie Howe as well as Scott Parker – a number that trails the continent's other major divisions in terms of homegrown representation.

16 of the 20 top-flight managers in Serie A are Italian, Eleven of the 20 are Spanish, 12 of the 18 are German and 10 in Ligue 1 are French.

The present Blues caretaker manager Calum McFarlane commented: "I'm sure all aspiring British coaches with a youth development pedigree will be, in some way no matter who you support, rooting for Liam.

"It's really motivating for up-and-coming British academy coaches to witness someone get that job with his background and everyone hopes he does really well."

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

Leroy Rosenior, Liam's father, had a career with the likes of Fulham, the Hammers and Queens Park Rangers, with his managerial career peaked with a brief stint in charge of then-League One side Brentford FC back in 2006.

In 2019, he received a Member of the Order of the British Empire in the 2019 New Year Honours for his services to tackling discrimination within the sport and wider society.

After Liam hung up his boots he followed a path in management. He started penning a column for The Guardian, and in one piece he acknowledged the under-representation among managers. He pointed out that ethnicity does not determine coaching skill arguing that roles should be given on merit.

He also made the view he would repeat: how significant lack of diversity results in a failure to understand regarding footballers with diverse cultural and ethnic backgrounds.

In a podcast with The Athletic FC, he explained the way his star striker, Emmanuel Emegha, was labelled "hard to manage" or "passionate", but said he understood the Netherlands international with Nigerian parentage. Emegha is set to join him with a move from France to West London this summer.

In further Guardian columns, he also confessed to being "ashamed" upon hearing a coach make a discriminatory remark. He pledged support for the inclusion campaign and wrote a public message to the former US President during his first US presidency, condemning his "blatant" racism.

Rosenior has since made his name in the dugout – first at Hull City, then Strasbourg – with Wayne Rooney recently stating Rosenior was "among the best coaches I've ever worked with" following their collaboration with Derby.

The manager bid goodbye at Strasbourg on Tuesday morning prior to putting pen to paper on a long-term contract at Chelsea.

Chelsea boasted the Premier League's first black boss in Gullit and the first black captain named Paul Elliott.

Elliott later worked in several executive roles, including the FA's equality board|