An Emotional Moment when Rosenior Shatters Barriers

"Liam Rosenior is a top manager that understands the game intimately, and that's the crucial factor.

"But, as the Blues' first African heritage player, I would be lying to claim this news fails to move me."

Those are the sentiments expressed by Paul Canoville, the man who made his groundbreaking debut for Chelsea's senior side as a substitute in the spring of 1982.

On Tuesday, the club hired Strasbourg boss Liam Rosenior, 41, as their next manager following the exit of Enzo Maresca.

Strasbourg are part of the Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital-owned ownership group which also owns the London club.

There have been only twelve black managers – excluding individuals in interim roles – in the Premier League since it began thirty-four years ago.

"One thing that impresses me about Liam is that he grew up and played locally, he understands this community," continued Canoville.

"When youngsters observe someone like Liam in charge of their club, a person who looks like them, who's from their ends, from a family that champions what's right… it is profound demonstrating the path is there.

"Indeed, it is a massive moment for the club, for the capital, for every young person dreaming big.

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

What Exactly Do the Numbers Reveal?

The iconic Dutchman Ruud Gullit was appointed the Blues' manager in 1996 thereby becoming the top flight's first black manager.

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

West Ham manager Nuno Espirito Santo is the sole additional present Premier League gaffer from a minority ethnic background.

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

According to a Black Footballers Partnership 2023 study, forty-three percent of top-flight players are from African or Caribbean heritage.

However, research from the equality organization found just 3.2% of board and senior leadership positions across most Premier League clubs are from minority ethnic communities.

Regarding senior coaching level, according to figures provided by eleven clubs, the figure stands at 2%.

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

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

"It is acknowledged that there exists a wealth of ability that exists in the ethnic minority groups... aspiring coaches desire a chance to demonstrate what they can do. It is imperative to persist in striving to dismantle those obstacles once and for all."

Additionally, Rosenior will become one of only four full-time English head coaches currently managing in the top flight – joining Sean Dyche, Eddie Howe and Scott Parker – a number that lags behind the continent's remaining major leagues in terms of homegrown representation.

Sixteen of the 20 top-flight managers in Italy are Italian, Eleven in La Liga in Spain, Twelve of the 18 are German and 10 of the 18 in France.

Current Blues caretaker manager Calum McFarlane commented: "I have no doubt every young English coaches from an academy background will be, to some degree regardless of allegiance, supporting Liam.

"It is really inspirational for young English academy coaches to see an individual get such a role with his background and we hope he will be highly successful."

'Let's not forget – he's there due to ability'

His father, Leroy, Liam's father, played for clubs such as West London clubs, the Hammers as well as Queens Park Rangers, and his coaching stint culminating in a brief stint at then-League One side Brentford in 2006.

In 2019, he was awarded an MBE in the Honours List for his services to tackling discrimination in football and wider society.

After Liam hung up his boots he pursued his father's footsteps. He started writing a column for The Guardian, where in 2017 he addressed the lack of diversity among managers. He highlighted that race does not determine coaching skill and said opportunities should be given on merit.

He also made a point he has often stated: that significant under-representation leads to a failure to understand regarding footballers with diverse cultural and ethnic heritage.

During an interview for a football podcast, he explained how his star striker, Emmanuel Emegha, was labelled "hard to manage" or "emotional", noting that he understood the Dutch international with Nigerian parentage. Emegha is set to follow him with a move from France to West London this summer.

In subsequent newspaper articles, he also confessed he was "ashamed" upon hearing a staff member make a homophobic slur. He pledged support for the inclusion campaign and wrote a public message to the former US President while he was in office, condemning his "overt" prejudice.

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

The manager bid his farewells to his former club earlier this week prior to putting pen to paper on a long-term contract at Chelsea.

The Blues boasted the top flight's first black manager in Gullit and the first black captain named Paul Elliott.

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