A Moving Moment when Liam Rosenior Breaks Obstacles

"Rosenior represents an excellent manager who knows the game inside out, which is the most important thing.

"But, in my role as the Blues' pioneering African heritage footballer, it would be dishonest if I said this moment fails to move me."

These were the words expressed by the former Chelsea winger, the man who made his historic debut for the Blues' first team off the bench in April 1982.

This week, the club hired Strasbourg boss Liam Rosenior, aged 41, as their next manager following the exit of Enzo Maresca.

Strasbourg are part of a Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital-owned ownership group which also owns Chelsea.

Statistics show only twelve of African or Caribbean heritage managers – excluding individuals holding interim positions – in the Premier League since its inception thirty-four years ago.

"What really strikes me regarding Rosenior is that he was raised and developed his game not far from here, he understands the local fans," continued Canoville.

"When kids observe a figure like Rosenior managing the team they support, someone they can identify with, from a similar background, from a family that fights for equality… that's impactful and shows them that opportunities exist.

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

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

What Exactly Do the Numbers Indicate?

Dutch legend Ruud Gullit was appointed the Blues' manager back in the nineties and became the Premier League's first African heritage manager.

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

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

The lack of managers of colour throughout English football corresponds with an absence of representation at executive level.

According to the BFP 2023 report, 43% of top-flight footballers are from black heritage.

However, research from Kick It Out revealed just 3.2% of board and senior leadership positions at 17 of 20 Premier League clubs are held by people from minority ethnic communities.

At first-team coaching level, according to data from eleven clubs, the figure is two percent.

For all coaching roles – including head coaches – from the same eleven clubs, the statistic is just five percent.

"He has undoubtedly made history in terms of him being announced as Chelsea head coach, and we hope to see more of that," said the chief executive of Kick It Out Samuel Okafor.

"We know there is a wealth of talent that exists within ethnic minority groups... aspiring coaches desire the opportunity to show their capabilities. We need to continue to striving to dismantle those barriers down."

Additionally, the new appointee is set to become the fourth permanent British managers presently managing in the top flight – joining Sean Dyche, Eddie Howe as well as Scott Parker – which trails the continent's remaining big five divisions regarding homegrown representation.

Sixteen of the 20 first division coaches in Italy are from Italy, Eleven of the 20 in Spain, 12 in the Bundesliga in Germany and 10 of the 18 in France.

The present Blues interim boss Calum McFarlane commented: "I have no doubt every aspiring British managers from an academy background are, to some degree no matter who you support, rooting for Liam.

"It's truly inspirational for young English academy coaches to see someone land such a role with his background and we hope he does really well."

'Let's not forget – his appointment is on merit'

His father, Leroy, Liam's father, played for clubs such as West London clubs, the Hammers as well as Queens Park Rangers, and his managerial career peaked with a brief stint in charge of then-League One side Brentford FC in 2006.

In 2019, he received an MBE in the 2019 New Year Honours for services rendered in combating discrimination in football and beyond.

After Liam retired from playing he pursued his father's footsteps. He began penning a column for a national newspaper, where in 2017 he acknowledged the under-representation of black coaches. He highlighted that ethnicity does not influence ability arguing that opportunities should be given on merit.

He also made the view he has often stated: how significant lack of diversity leads to misunderstandings of players with diverse cultural and ethnic heritage.

In a podcast for a football podcast, he explained the way his leading forward, Emmanuel Emegha, was labelled "difficult" or "emotional", but said he could relate to the Dutch player of Nigerian descent. Emegha is set to follow him in moving from Strasbourg to Chelsea this summer.

In subsequent newspaper articles, Rosenior also admitted he was "ashamed" to hear an unnamed staff member utter 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 as a manager – initially with Hull City, later at Strasbourg – and Wayne Rooney said this week Rosenior was "as good a coach as I've ever worked with" after their collaboration with Derby.

Rosenior said goodbye at Strasbourg on Tuesday morning before signing a six‑and‑a‑half‑year deal at Chelsea.

The Blues had the Premier League's first black manager in Gullit and the first black captain in Paul Elliott.

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