An Significant Occasion as Rosenior Breaks Obstacles

"Liam Rosenior is an excellent manager that understands football back to front, which is the most important thing.

"However, as Chelsea's first black footballer, I would be lying if I said this moment doesn't move me."

These were the sentiments expressed by the former Chelsea winger, who made his historic first appearance for the Blues' first team off the bench in April 1982.

On Tuesday, Chelsea named Strasbourg manager Rosenior, aged 41, as their new manager following the departure of Enzo Maresca.

Strasbourg are part of a multi-club ownership group which also controls Chelsea.

Statistics show a mere 12 black managers – not including those holding interim positions – in England's top flight since its inception 34 in the past.

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

"Whenever children see someone like Liam managing the team they support, a person they can identify with, from a similar background, who comes from a family that champions what's right… that's powerful and shows them that opportunities exist.

"So yes, it is a huge step for the club, for London, for all young person dreaming big.

"But right now? We must support Rosenior, provide him with what he needs, and let the man do his work."

What Exactly Do the Numbers Indicate?

Dutch legend Ruud Gullit was appointed Chelsea manager in 1996 thereby becoming the Premier League's inaugural African heritage manager.

Twelve years later, in 2008, Paul Ince was appointed as the first black English manager in the top flight after taking charge at Blackburn Rovers.

The Hammers' boss Nuno Espirito Santo currently stands as the only other present Premier League boss of colour.

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

As per a BFP 2023's report, 43% of top-flight footballers are from black heritage.

However, research by the equality organization found only 3.2% of board and senior leadership management teams at most Premier League clubs are from ethnically diverse backgrounds.

At senior coaching level, according to data provided by 11 clubs, the figure is two percent.

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

"He's certainly broken barriers in terms of him being announced as a Chelsea manager, and we hope to see more of that," stated the chief executive of Kick It Out Samuel Okafor.

"It is acknowledged there is loads of talent that exists in the black and underrepresented communities... aspiring coaches desire a chance to demonstrate their capabilities. We need to continue to work hard to break those obstacles once and for all."

Additionally, the new appointee is set to become one of only four permanent British head coaches currently managing in the top flight – alongside Sean Dyche, Eddie Howe and Scott Parker – which lags behind the continent's other major leagues in terms of national representation.

Sixteen of the 20 first division coaches in Serie A are from Italy, 11 in La Liga in Spain, 12 in the Bundesliga are German and Ten of the 18 are French.

The present Chelsea interim boss Calum McFarlane said: "I'm sure all aspiring British coaches from an academy background will be, to some degree regardless of allegiance, supporting Liam.

"It's truly motivating for young English academy coaches to see an individual land that job with that profile and we hope he does highly successful."

It is vital to remember – he's there on merit'

Leroy Rosenior, Liam's father, had a career with clubs such as Fulham, the Hammers and Queens Park Rangers, with his coaching stint peaked with a brief stint in charge of then-League One side Brentford in 2006.

Two years ago, he received an MBE in that year's Honours List for services rendered to tackling discrimination within the sport and beyond.

When Rosenior Jr retired from playing he pursued a path in management. He began writing a column for The Guardian, and in one piece he addressed the under-representation among managers. He pointed out that race does not influence ability and said roles should be given on merit.

He also made the view he would repeat: how vast under-representation leads to misunderstandings regarding footballers from different cultural and ethnic backgrounds.

During an interview with The Athletic FC, Rosenior highlighted the way his star striker, Emmanuel Emegha, was labelled "difficult" or "passionate", noting that he could relate to the Dutch player with Nigerian parentage. Emegha is set to join him in moving from France to West London in July.

In further newspaper articles, Rosenior also admitted he was "ashamed" upon hearing an unnamed staff member utter a discriminatory remark. He pledged support for the Premier League's inclusion campaign and wrote a public message to the former US President while he was in office, accusing him of "blatant" racism.

He has subsequently made his name in the dugout – first at Hull City, then Strasbourg – with Wayne Rooney recently stating Rosenior was "as good a coach as I've ever worked with" following their collaboration at Derby County.

Rosenior said goodbye to his former club earlier this week prior to putting pen to paper on a six‑and‑a‑half‑year deal at Chelsea.

The Blues boasted the Premier League's pioneering African heritage boss in Gullit and the first black captain named Paul Elliott.

Elliott later worked in several senior positions, among them the FA's diversity and inclusion board|