A Powerful Event when Rosenior Shatters Barriers

"He is a top tactician that understands football back to front, and that's the crucial factor.

"But, as the Blues' pioneering African heritage player, I would be lying to claim this news doesn't move me."

These were the words expressed by the former Chelsea winger, the man who made his historic debut for Chelsea's senior side as a substitute back in the spring of 1982.

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

Strasbourg are within a multi-club ownership group that also owns the London club.

Statistics show only twelve of African or Caribbean heritage head coaches – excluding those in temporary caretaker roles – in England's top flight since it began 34 in the past.

"What really strikes me about Liam is that he was raised and played not far from here, he understands this area," continued Canoville.

"When children see a figure like Rosenior in charge of their club, someone who looks like them, from a similar background, from a family that champions what's right… it is powerful demonstrating that opportunities exist.

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

"But right now? Let's back Liam, give him the necessary tools, and let the man get on with the job."

What Does the Data Show?

The iconic Dutchman Ruud Gullit became Chelsea manager back in the nineties thereby becoming the Premier League's first African heritage head coach.

Twelve years later, in 2008, Paul Ince was appointed as the pioneering black English manager in the Premier League after taking charge at Blackburn Rovers.

West Ham manager Nuno Espirito Santo currently stands as the sole additional present top flight gaffer from a minority ethnic background.

The lack of ethnic minority managers throughout the English game is matched by a lack of representation in the boardroom.

As per a Black Footballers Partnership 2023 study, 43% of Premier League footballers come from black backgrounds.

However, research from the equality organization revealed only 3.2 percent of board and senior leadership positions across 17 of 20 Premier League clubs are held by people from minority ethnic backgrounds.

Regarding senior coaching positions, according to data provided by eleven clubs, the percentage stands at 2%.

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

"He's certainly broken barriers by virtue of him being announced as a Chelsea manager, and as an organization, we hope to see more of that," said Kick It Out CEO Samuel Okafor.

"We know that there exists loads of ability that exists within ethnic minority communities... they desire a chance to demonstrate what they can do. It is imperative to continue to work hard to break those barriers once and for all."

Furthermore, the new appointee is set to become the fourth permanent English managers currently in the Premier League – joining Sean Dyche, Eddie Howe as well as Scott Parker – a number that lags behind the continent's remaining major divisions regarding national representation.

Sixteen out of twenty top-flight coaches in Serie A are from Italy, 11 in La Liga in Spain, Twelve in the Bundesliga are German and 10 of the 18 in France.

Current Blues caretaker manager Calum McFarlane said: "I'm sure all aspiring British coaches with a youth development pedigree will be, to some degree regardless of allegiance, supporting Liam.

"It is truly motivating to up-and-coming British coaches in the system to see someone get that job with that profile and everyone hopes he will be highly successful."

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

His father, Leroy, Liam's father, played for the likes of Fulham, West Ham as well as Queens Park Rangers, and his coaching stint culminating in a brief stint at then-League One side Brentford back in 2006.

Two years ago, he received an MBE in the Honours List for his services to tackling inequality in football and wider society.

When Rosenior Jr retired from playing he pursued a path in management. He started writing articles for The Guardian, and in one piece he acknowledged the lack of diversity of black coaches. He highlighted that ethnicity does not influence ability arguing that roles should be given on merit.

He also made a point he would repeat: that significant lack of diversity leads to misunderstandings of players with diverse ethnic and cultural heritage.

In a podcast for a football podcast, he explained the way his star striker, Emmanuel Emegha, was labelled "difficult" or "emotional", noting that he could relate to the Netherlands player of Nigerian descent. The striker is expected to follow him with a move from France to West London this summer.

In further Guardian columns, he also confessed he was "embarrassed" upon hearing an unnamed staff member make a homophobic slur. He vowed support for the Premier League's inclusion campaign and wrote a public message to the former US President during his first US presidency, accusing him of "blatant" prejudice.

He has subsequently built his reputation in the dugout – first at Hull City, later at Strasbourg – with Wayne Rooney said this week he was "as good a coach as I've ever worked with" following their time together with Derby.

Rosenior said his farewells to his former club earlier this week prior to putting pen to paper on a long-term contract with the Blues.

Chelsea boasted the Premier League's first black manager in Gullit and the first black skipper in Paul Elliott.

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