An Powerful Occasion as Rosenior Shatters Boundaries

"Rosenior represents a quality tactician who knows football back to front, which is what matters most.

"However, in my role as the Blues' pioneering black footballer, I would be lying if I said this moment fails to move me."

Those are the words of the former Chelsea winger, who earned his historic debut for Chelsea's senior side off the bench back in April 1982.

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

The French club is part of a multi-club BlueCo which also controls the London club.

Statistics show a mere 12 black managers – excluding those in temporary caretaker roles – in the Premier League since it began 34 in the past.

"One thing that impresses me about Liam is he grew up and developed his game not far from here, he knows the local fans," added Canoville.

"When children observe someone like Liam in charge of their club, someone who looks like them, from a similar background, from a household that fights for equality… that's powerful and shows them the path is there.

"So yes, it is a huge moment for the club, for London, for all aspiring individual with big dreams.

"But right now? Let's back Liam, give him what he needs, and allow him to get on with the job."

What Does the Data Show?

Dutch legend Ruud Gullit was appointed Chelsea head coach back in the nineties and became the top flight's first black manager.

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

West Ham boss Nuno Espirito Santo currently stands as the only other present Premier League gaffer from a minority ethnic background.

The shortage of managers of colour across the English game corresponds with a lack of representation in the boardroom.

According to a Black Footballers Partnership 2023's report, 43% of Premier League footballers are from African or Caribbean backgrounds.

Yet, research from the equality organization revealed only 3.2% of executive and leadership positions at 17 of 20 Premier League clubs are from ethnically diverse communities.

Regarding first-team coaching level, according to data from 11 clubs, the percentage is two percent.

Across all coaching positions – including head coaches – from the same 11 clubs, the figure is 5%.

"He's certainly made history by virtue of him being announced as the Chelsea head coach, and we hope to witness more such appointments," said the chief executive of Kick It Out Samuel Okafor.

"It is acknowledged that there exists a wealth of ability present within ethnic minority communities... aspiring coaches want a chance to demonstrate what they can do. We need to continue to work hard to break those barriers down."

Furthermore, Rosenior is set to become the fourth permanent English head coaches presently managing in the top flight – alongside Sean Dyche, Eddie Howe and Scott Parker – which trails the continent's other major divisions regarding national managers.

Sixteen out of twenty first division managers in Serie A are Italian, Eleven of the 20 are Spanish, Twelve of the 18 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 no matter who you support, supporting Liam.

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

'Let's not forget – his appointment is based on talent'

Leroy Rosenior, Rosenior Sr., had a career with clubs such as Fulham, the Hammers as well as Queens Park Rangers, and his managerial career peaked with a five-month stint at the third-tier club Brentford FC back in 2006.

In 2019, he received an MBE in the 2019 New Year Honours for his services to tackling inequality within the sport and wider society.

After Liam retired from playing he followed a path in management. He began penning a column for The Guardian, where in 2017 he addressed the lack of diversity of black coaches. He highlighted that race does not influence ability and said opportunities must be awarded on merit.

He also made the view he has often stated: that vast under-representation results in a failure to understand of players with diverse ethnic and cultural heritage.

During an interview for a football podcast, Rosenior highlighted how his star striker, Emmanuel Emegha, had been described as "difficult" or "emotional", but said he understood the Netherlands international of Nigerian descent. Emegha is set to follow him with a move from Strasbourg to Chelsea in July.

In subsequent Guardian columns, Rosenior also admitted he was "embarrassed" to hear an unnamed staff member utter a discriminatory remark. He vowed support for the Premier League's Rainbow Laces campaign and authored a public message to the former US President while he was in office, condemning his "blatant" racism.

He has subsequently made his name as a manager – initially with Hull City, then Strasbourg – with Wayne Rooney recently stating he was "among the best coaches I've ever worked with" following their collaboration with Derby.

Rosenior said goodbye at Strasbourg earlier this week prior to putting pen to paper on a six‑and‑a‑half‑year contract at Chelsea.

Chelsea boasted the top flight's first African heritage boss in Gullit and the first black skipper named Paul Elliott.

Elliott later worked in multiple executive roles, among them the FA's diversity and inclusion board|