A Moving Event as Rosenior Breaks Boundaries

"Liam Rosenior is a quality manager that knows football inside out, which is what matters most.

"However, as the Blues' first African heritage player, I would be lying if I said this appointment doesn't move me."

Those are the words of Paul Canoville, the man who made his groundbreaking debut for the Blues' first team off the bench in the spring of 1982.

This week, the club appointed RC Strasbourg boss Rosenior, aged 41, as their next manager after the departure of Enzo Maresca.

Strasbourg are part of the Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital-owned BlueCo that also controls the London club.

There have been only twelve black head coaches – not including individuals holding interim roles – in the Premier League since it began 34 years ago.

"One thing that impresses me regarding Rosenior is he was raised and played not far from here, he knows the local fans," continued Canoville.

"When youngsters see a figure like Rosenior managing the team they support, a person they can identify with, from a similar background, who comes from a family that fights for equality… it is profound demonstrating that opportunities exist.

"Indeed, this represents a massive step for Chelsea, for London, for all young person with big dreams.

"However, currently? We must support Rosenior, provide him with what he needs, and allow him to do his work."

What Exactly Do the Numbers Show?

The iconic Dutchman Ruud Gullit was appointed Chelsea manager back in the nineties thereby becoming the Premier League's inaugural black manager.

Twelve years later, by 2008, Paul Ince became the pioneering English black boss in the top flight when he took over Blackburn Rovers.

West Ham boss Nuno Espirito Santo is the only other present top flight gaffer from a minority ethnic background.

The shortage of ethnic minority managers throughout the English game corresponds with an absence of representation in the boardroom.

As per the BFP 2023 report, forty-three percent of Premier League players come from black backgrounds.

Yet, research by Kick It Out found just 3.2 percent of board and senior leadership positions at most Premier League clubs are from minority ethnic backgrounds.

Regarding senior coaching positions, according to figures provided by eleven clubs, the percentage is 2%.

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

"He's certainly made history by virtue of his appointment as the Chelsea manager, and we want to see more of that," stated Kick It Out CEO Samuel Okafor.

"It is acknowledged that there exists a wealth of talent that exists within ethnic minority groups... they want the opportunity to show what they can do. It is imperative to persist in striving to break those obstacles once and for all."

Furthermore, Rosenior will become one of only four full-time British head coaches currently managing in the top flight – alongside Sean Dyche, Eddie Howe and Scott Parker – a number that trails Europe's remaining major divisions in terms of homegrown representation.

Sixteen of the 20 top-flight coaches in Serie A are from Italy, 11 of the 20 in Spain, 12 of the 18 are German and Ten of the 18 are French.

Current Blues interim boss Calum McFarlane said: "I'm sure every young English coaches from an academy background will be, to some degree regardless of allegiance, rooting for Liam.

"It's really motivating for young English coaches in the system to see an individual land that job with his background and everyone hopes he does highly successful."

It is vital to remember – his appointment is due to ability'

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

In 2019, he was awarded a Member of the Order of the British Empire in the 2019 New Year Honours for his services in combating discrimination within the sport and beyond.

When Rosenior Jr retired from playing he followed his father's footsteps. He began writing a column for The Guardian, and in one piece he addressed the under-representation of black coaches. He highlighted that race does not influence ability and said opportunities should be given on merit.

He further expressed the view he has often stated: that significant under-representation leads to misunderstandings regarding footballers with diverse cultural and ethnic heritage.

In a podcast with The Athletic FC, he explained the way his leading forward, Emmanuel Emegha, was labelled "difficult" and "emotional", but said he could relate to the Netherlands player of Nigerian descent. Emegha is set to join him in moving from Strasbourg to Chelsea this summer.

In further Guardian columns, Rosenior also admitted to being "embarrassed" to hear a staff member make a homophobic slur. He pledged his support for the Premier League's inclusion initiative and wrote a public message to the former US President while he was in office, condemning his "blatant" racism.

He has subsequently made his name in the dugout – initially with Hull City, later at Strasbourg – and Wayne Rooney said this week he was "as good a coach as I've ever worked with" after their collaboration at Derby County.

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

The Blues boasted the Premier League's first African heritage boss with Gullit as well as the first black captain named Paul Elliott.

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