An Historic Event when Rosenior Shatters Barriers

"Rosenior represents a quality tactician that understands football inside out, which is the most important thing.

"However, in my role as the Blues' first black footballer, I would be lying to claim this moment doesn't move me."

These were the words expressed by Paul Canoville, who made his groundbreaking first appearance for Chelsea's senior side as a substitute back in the spring of 1982.

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

The French club is within the multi-club ownership group that also controls the London club.

Statistics show just 12 black managers – not including those holding interim roles – in the Premier League since it began thirty-four years ago.

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

"When youngsters observe someone like Liam in charge of their club, someone who looks like them, from a similar background, from a family that champions equality… it is powerful and shows them that opportunities exist.

"Indeed, it is a huge moment for the club, for the capital, for all young person with big dreams.

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

What Do the Statistics Show?

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

A dozen years on, in 2008, Paul Ince was appointed as the first English black boss in the top flight after taking charge at Blackburn Rovers.

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

The lack of ethnic minority managers across English football is matched by an absence of representation at executive level.

As per the Black Footballers Partnership 2023's study, 43% of Premier League players are from African or Caribbean backgrounds.

However, analysis by the equality organization found just 3.2% of executive and leadership management teams at most Premier League clubs are from ethnically diverse communities.

Regarding first-team coaching positions, based on figures from eleven clubs, the figure is two percent.

For all coaching positions – encompassing senior roles – from the same eleven clubs, the statistic is just 5%.

"He's certainly broken barriers in terms of his appointment as the Chelsea head coach, and as an organization, we want to witness more such appointments," stated Kick It Out CEO Samuel Okafor.

"We know there is loads of talent present in the ethnic minority groups... aspiring coaches want the opportunity to show their capabilities. We need to persist in striving to dismantle those barriers down."

Furthermore, Rosenior will become the fourth permanent British managers presently in the Premier League – joining Sean Dyche, Eddie Howe and Scott Parker – which trails Europe's other major leagues in terms of homegrown managers.

16 of the 20 top-flight managers in Italy are Italian, 11 in La Liga in Spain, 12 in the Bundesliga in Germany and Ten in Ligue 1 in France.

The present Blues caretaker manager Calum McFarlane said: "I have no doubt all young English coaches with a youth development pedigree will be, in some way regardless of allegiance, supporting Liam.

"It's truly inspirational to young English coaches in the system to witness someone land such a role with his background and everyone hopes he does really well."

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

Leroy Rosenior, Liam's father, played for the likes of West London clubs, West Ham as well as Queens Park Rangers, with his coaching stint peaked with a brief spell at the third-tier club Brentford FC in 2006.

Two years ago, he was awarded an MBE in the 2019 New Year Honours for his services in combating inequality in football and wider society.

After Liam retired from playing he followed his father's footsteps. He began writing a column for a national newspaper, where in 2017 he acknowledged the under-representation among managers. He highlighted that ethnicity does not influence coaching skill arguing that roles must be awarded based on qualification.

He also made a point he has often stated: that significant under-representation leads to misunderstandings regarding footballers from different cultural and ethnic backgrounds.

During an interview for a football podcast, he explained the way his star striker, Emmanuel Emegha, was labelled "hard to manage" or "passionate", but said he could relate to the Netherlands player with Nigerian parentage. The striker is expected to follow him with a move from Strasbourg to West London in July.

In further newspaper articles, he also confessed to being "embarrassed" to hear a staff member make a homophobic slur. He vowed his support for the Premier League's inclusion initiative and authored an open letter to Donald Trump during his first US presidency, condemning his "blatant" racism.

Rosenior has since built his reputation in the dugout – initially with Hull City, later at Strasbourg – with Wayne Rooney recently stating he was "as good a coach as I've ever worked with" after their collaboration at Derby County.

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

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

Elliott later held multiple executive roles, among them the Football Association's diversity and inclusion board|