An Emotional Event as Liam Rosenior Breaks Obstacles

"Liam Rosenior is an excellent coach that knows the game intimately, and that's the crucial factor.

"However, as Chelsea's first black footballer, it would be dishonest if I said this news fails to move me."

These were the words of Paul Canoville, the man who made his historic debut for Chelsea's senior side off the bench back in April 1982.

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

The French club is within a Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital-owned ownership group which also controls Chelsea.

There have been a mere twelve of African or Caribbean heritage managers – excluding individuals holding temporary caretaker roles – in England's top flight since its inception 34 in the past.

"One thing that impresses me regarding Rosenior is that he was raised and played not far from here, he understands this community," added Canoville.

"When kids observe a figure like Rosenior in charge of their club, a person who looks like them, from a similar background, who comes from a family that champions equality… that's impactful demonstrating that opportunities exist.

"Indeed, it is an enormous moment for Chelsea, for the capital, for every aspiring individual with big dreams.

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

What Does the Data Reveal?

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

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

West Ham boss Nuno Espirito Santo currently stands as the only other current top flight boss of colour.

The shortage of ethnic minority managers across English football corresponds with an absence of diversity in the boardroom.

According to the Black Footballers Partnership 2023's study, 43% of top-flight players come from African or Caribbean heritage.

However, research from Kick It Out found just 3.2% of board and senior leadership positions at most Premier League clubs are held by people from ethnically diverse communities.

Regarding first-team coaching positions, according to data provided by eleven clubs, the percentage is two percent.

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

"He's certainly made history by virtue of his appointment as a the Chelsea head coach, and as an organization, we hope to see more of that," said the chief executive of Kick It Out Samuel Okafor.

"We know there is a wealth of ability present within ethnic minority communities... they desire the opportunity to demonstrate what they can do. We need to continue to striving to dismantle those obstacles down."

Furthermore, Rosenior is set to become the fourth permanent English head coaches currently managing in the top flight – joining Sean Dyche, Eddie Howe as well as Scott Parker – a number that trails the continent's remaining major divisions regarding national representation.

16 out of twenty first division coaches in Serie A are Italian, Eleven of the 20 in Spain, Twelve of the 18 in Germany while 10 in Ligue 1 are French.

Current Chelsea caretaker manager Calum McFarlane commented: "I'm sure all young English coaches with a youth development pedigree are, to some degree regardless of allegiance, rooting for Liam.

"It's really motivating for young English academy coaches to see someone land such a role with his background and we hope he will be highly successful."

'Let's not forget – his appointment is based on talent'

His father, Leroy, Liam's father, had a career with clubs such as Fulham, West Ham and Queens Park Rangers, and his managerial career culminating in a brief spell at the third-tier club Brentford FC in 2006.

In 2019, he was awarded an MBE in the Honours List for his services to tackling inequality within the sport and beyond.

When Rosenior Jr retired from playing he followed his father's footsteps. He started writing a column for a national newspaper, and in one piece he addressed the under-representation among managers. He pointed out that ethnicity does not influence ability and said roles should be given based on qualification.

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

During an interview with The Athletic FC, Rosenior highlighted how his star striker, Emmanuel Emegha, had been described as "hard to manage" and "passionate", but said he could relate to the Dutch international with Nigerian parentage. The striker is expected to follow him with a move from Strasbourg to West London in July.

In further Guardian columns, Rosenior also admitted to being "embarrassed" to hear an unnamed staff member utter a homophobic slur. He vowed support for the Rainbow Laces initiative and authored a public message to the former US President while he was in office, accusing him of "overt" prejudice.

He has subsequently made his name in the dugout – initially with Hull City, later at Strasbourg – with Wayne Rooney recently stating Rosenior was "among the best coaches I've ever worked with" following their time together at Derby County.

The manager bid his farewells at Strasbourg earlier this week before signing a six‑and‑a‑half‑year deal at Chelsea.

The Blues had the top flight's first African heritage boss in Gullit and the first black skipper in Paul Elliott.

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