An Moving Milestone when Rosenior Shatters Barriers

"Rosenior represents a quality coach who knows the game back to front, which is what matters most.

"But, in my role as the Blues' first black footballer, it would be dishonest if I said this moment doesn't move me."

Those are the words expressed by the former Chelsea winger, who made his groundbreaking first appearance for the Blues' first team off the bench back in April 1982.

This week, the club appointed Strasbourg manager Liam Rosenior, aged 41, as their new manager after the departure of Enzo Maresca.

Strasbourg are within a Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital-owned BlueCo which also owns the London club.

There have been a mere 12 black managers – not including those in interim roles – 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 locally, he understands this community," continued Canoville.

"When kids see someone like Liam in charge of their club, a person they can identify with, from a similar background, who comes from a household that fights for what's right… it is impactful and shows them that opportunities exist.

"Indeed, this represents a huge moment for the club, for the capital, for all young person dreaming big.

"But right now? We must support Rosenior, provide him with what he needs, and let the man do his work."

What Exactly Do the Numbers Indicate?

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

Twelve years later, by 2008, Paul Ince became the first black English manager in the top flight after taking charge at Blackburn Rovers.

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

The lack of ethnic minority managers across the English game is matched by a lack of diversity in the boardroom.

According to a BFP 2023 report, forty-three percent of Premier League footballers are from black heritage.

Yet, analysis from Kick It Out found only 3.2% of executive and leadership management teams across 17 of 20 Premier League clubs are from minority ethnic backgrounds.

Regarding senior coaching level, according to data provided by eleven clubs, the figure is two percent.

For all coaching positions – encompassing head coaches – from the same eleven clubs, the figure is 5%.

"He has undoubtedly broken barriers in terms of his appointment as Chelsea manager, and we hope to see more of that," said the chief executive of Kick It Out Samuel Okafor.

"It is acknowledged that there exists a wealth of talent present in the black and underrepresented groups... they desire a chance to show their capabilities. It is imperative to persist in work hard to dismantle those barriers once and for all."

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 lags behind the continent's remaining big five divisions in terms of national managers.

16 out of twenty top-flight managers in Serie A are Italian, 11 in La Liga are Spanish, 12 of the 18 in Germany while Ten of the 18 are French.

Current Chelsea interim boss Calum McFarlane said: "I'm sure all aspiring British managers from an academy background are, to some degree regardless of allegiance, supporting Liam.

"It is really motivating to young English coaches in the system to witness someone get that job with his background and everyone hopes he does really well."

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

His father, Leroy, Liam's father, played for clubs such as West London clubs, the Hammers and Queens Park Rangers, with his managerial career culminating in a five-month stint 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 his services in combating discrimination within the sport and wider society.

After Liam hung up his boots he pursued his father's footsteps. He started writing a column for a national newspaper, where in 2017 he acknowledged the lack of diversity of black coaches. He highlighted that ethnicity does not influence ability arguing that opportunities should be given on merit.

He further expressed a point he would repeat: how vast lack of diversity leads to misunderstandings of players from different cultural and ethnic backgrounds.

In a podcast for a football podcast, Rosenior highlighted the way his leading forward, Emmanuel Emegha, was labelled "difficult" and "passionate", but said he understood the Netherlands player of Nigerian descent. Emegha is set to join him with a move from France to Chelsea this summer.

In subsequent newspaper articles, Rosenior also admitted he was "ashamed" upon hearing a coach make a discriminatory remark. He vowed his support for the Premier League's Rainbow Laces initiative and authored a public message to Donald Trump during his first US presidency, condemning his "overt" racism.

Rosenior has since made his name as a manager – first at Hull City, then Strasbourg – with Wayne Rooney said this week Rosenior was "as good a coach as I've ever worked with" after their time together with Derby.

The manager bid his farewells at Strasbourg earlier this week before signing a long-term deal at Chelsea.

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

Elliott has since held several senior positions, including the FA's diversity and inclusion board|