A Historic Event as Liam Rosenior Breaks Obstacles

"He is an excellent manager who knows the game back to front, which is what matters most.

"But, in my role as Chelsea's first African heritage footballer, I would be lying to claim this news fails to move me."

These were the sentiments expressed by Paul Canoville, who made his groundbreaking debut for the Blues' first team as a substitute in April 1982.

On Tuesday, Chelsea hired RC Strasbourg manager Rosenior, 41, to be their next head coach following the departure of Enzo Maresca.

Strasbourg are within the 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 those holding interim positions – in England's top flight since its inception 34 years ago.

"One thing that impresses me regarding Rosenior is he grew up and played not far from here, he knows this community," continued Canoville.

"When children observe someone like Liam managing the team they support, someone who looks like them, from a similar background, who comes from a household that fights for equality… that's profound demonstrating that opportunities exist.

"Indeed, it is a huge step for the club, for London, for every young person with big dreams.

"But right now? Let's back Liam, give him the necessary tools, and allow him to do his work."

What Does the Data Show?

Dutch legend Ruud Gullit became the Blues' 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 manager in the Premier League after taking charge at Blackburn Rovers.

The Hammers' manager Nuno Espirito Santo currently stands as the only other current top flight gaffer from a minority ethnic background.

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

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

However, analysis from Kick It Out found just 3.2% of board and senior leadership management teams at 17 of 20 Premier League clubs are held by people from minority ethnic backgrounds.

Regarding senior coaching positions, according to data from eleven clubs, the percentage is two percent.

Across all coaching roles – including head coaches – from those same eleven clubs, the figure is just 5%.

"He has undoubtedly broken barriers in terms of his appointment as Chelsea head coach, and as an organization, we want to see more of that," said Kick It Out CEO Samuel Okafor.

"It is acknowledged there is loads of ability present in the black and underrepresented groups... they desire the opportunity to show their capabilities. We need to persist in striving to break those barriers once and for all."

Additionally, the new appointee will become one of only four full-time British managers presently managing in the top flight – joining Sean Dyche, Eddie Howe as well as Scott Parker – a number that lags behind Europe's other major divisions in terms of national managers.

Sixteen out of twenty top-flight coaches in Italy are from Italy, 11 of the 20 in Spain, Twelve of the 18 are German while 10 of the 18 in France.

The present Blues caretaker manager Calum McFarlane said: "I'm sure all young English coaches from an academy background are, to some degree no matter who you support, rooting for Liam.

"It is truly motivating for young English academy coaches to witness someone get such a role with his background and we hope he does highly successful."

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

His father, Leroy, Liam's father, had a career with clubs such as West London clubs, West Ham as well as Queens Park Rangers, and his coaching stint peaked with a brief stint at then-League One side Brentford FC back in 2006.

In 2019, he was awarded an MBE in the 2019 New Year Honours for his services to tackling discrimination in football and beyond.

When Rosenior Jr retired from playing he pursued a path in management. He began writing articles for a national newspaper, where in 2017 he acknowledged the under-representation of black coaches. He highlighted that ethnicity does not determine coaching skill and said opportunities should be given based on qualification.

He further expressed the view he has often stated: that vast lack of diversity results in a failure to understand regarding footballers with diverse cultural and ethnic backgrounds.

In a podcast with The Athletic FC, Rosenior highlighted how his leading forward, Emmanuel Emegha, was labelled "difficult" and "passionate", noting that he understood the Dutch player with Nigerian parentage. Emegha is set to follow him with a move from France to West London in July.

In further Guardian columns, Rosenior also admitted he was "ashamed" upon hearing an unnamed coach utter a homophobic slur. He vowed his support for the inclusion initiative and authored a public message to Donald Trump while he was in office, condemning his "overt" racism.

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

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

The Blues had the top flight's first African heritage boss in Gullit as well as the first black captain named Paul Elliott.

Elliott later held several senior positions, including the FA's diversity and inclusion board|