An Emotional Event as Liam Rosenior Shatters Obstacles

"He is a quality tactician who understands the game intimately, 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."

These were the sentiments of the former Chelsea winger, who earned his historic debut for the Blues' first team as a substitute in April 1982.

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

Strasbourg are part of the multi-club ownership group which also owns Chelsea.

There have been a mere 12 black head coaches – excluding those holding interim positions – in the Premier League since it began 34 in the past.

"What really strikes me regarding Rosenior is that he grew up and played not far from here, he knows this area," continued Canoville.

"When kids see a figure like Rosenior in charge of their club, someone who looks like them, from a similar background, who comes from a family that fights for what's right… that's profound and shows them that opportunities exist.

"So yes, it is an enormous step for the club, for the capital, for every young person dreaming big.

"However, currently? Let's back Liam, provide him with the necessary tools, and allow him to do his work."

What Do the Statistics Reveal?

The iconic Dutchman Ruud Gullit became the Blues' head coach in 1996 and became the top flight's first African heritage head coach.

A dozen years on, by 2008, Paul Ince became the first English black manager in the top flight when he took over Blackburn Rovers.

The Hammers' manager Nuno Espirito Santo is the only other current Premier League gaffer from a minority ethnic background.

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

As per a Black Footballers Partnership 2023 report, forty-three percent of top-flight footballers are from black backgrounds.

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

At senior coaching positions, according to figures from eleven clubs, the figure is 2%.

For all coaching roles – encompassing head coaches – from those same 11 clubs, the statistic is 5%.

"He has undoubtedly broken barriers in terms of him being announced as a the Chelsea head coach, and as an organization, 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... aspiring coaches want the opportunity to demonstrate what they can do. It is imperative to persist in striving to break those barriers down."

Furthermore, Rosenior will become one of only four full-time British managers presently managing in the top flight – alongside Sean Dyche, Eddie Howe as well as Scott Parker – a number that lags behind Europe's other big five divisions regarding national managers.

16 of the 20 first division coaches in Italy are from Italy, Eleven of the 20 in Spain, Twelve of the 18 in Germany while 10 in Ligue 1 in France.

Current Blues caretaker manager Calum McFarlane commented: "I'm sure all young English coaches with a youth development pedigree will be, to some degree no matter who you support, rooting for Liam.

"It is really inspirational to young English coaches in the system to see an individual get that job with that profile and we hope he will be really well."

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

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 brief stint in charge of the third-tier club Brentford in 2006.

Two years ago, he was awarded a Member of the Order of the British Empire in the 2019 New Year Honours for his services to tackling inequality within the sport and wider society.

When Rosenior Jr hung up his boots he followed his father's footsteps. He started writing a column for The Guardian, and in one piece he acknowledged the lack of diversity among managers. He pointed out that ethnicity does not determine coaching skill and said roles should be given based on qualification.

He also made a point he would repeat: how significant under-representation leads to a failure to understand regarding footballers from different cultural and ethnic backgrounds.

During an interview for a football podcast, he explained the way his star striker, Emmanuel Emegha, had been described as "hard to manage" or "emotional", but said he understood the Dutch player of Nigerian descent. Emegha is set to join him with a move from France to Chelsea this summer.

In subsequent Guardian columns, Rosenior also admitted he was "ashamed" upon hearing an unnamed staff member make a discriminatory remark. He vowed support for the Rainbow Laces campaign and wrote an open letter to Donald Trump while he was in office, accusing him of "blatant" racism.

Rosenior has since made his name in the dugout – 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" following their collaboration with Derby.

The manager bid goodbye at Strasbourg earlier this week before signing a long-term deal with the Blues.

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

Elliott has since worked in several senior positions, among them the FA's equality board|