An Moving Moment when Rosenior Overcomes Barriers

"He is an excellent manager that understands football intimately, which is the most important thing.

"But, as Chelsea's first black footballer, it would be dishonest to claim this news doesn't move me."

Those are the words of Paul Canoville, who earned his groundbreaking first appearance for Chelsea's senior side off the bench in the spring of 1982.

This week, the club named RC Strasbourg manager Rosenior, aged 41, to be their new manager after the departure of Enzo Maresca.

The French club is within the Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital-owned BlueCo which also owns Chelsea.

There have been just twelve black head coaches – not including individuals holding temporary caretaker positions – in England's top flight since it began thirty-four in the past.

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

"Whenever children observe a figure like Rosenior managing their club, someone they can identify with, from a similar background, from a household that champions what's right… that's powerful demonstrating that opportunities exist.

"So yes, this represents a huge step for the club, for the capital, for every 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 Do the Numbers Indicate?

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

A dozen years on, by 2008, Paul Ince became the pioneering black English manager in the top flight when he took over Blackburn Rovers.

West Ham manager Nuno Espirito Santo is the only other current top flight gaffer of colour.

The lack of managers of colour across the English game corresponds with an absence of diversity at executive level.

According to the BFP 2023 report, 43% of top-flight footballers are from black heritage.

However, research from the equality organization found only 3.2 percent of executive and leadership positions across 17 of 20 Premier League clubs are held by people from minority ethnic communities.

Regarding senior coaching level, according to figures provided by 11 clubs, the figure stands at two percent.

For all coaching roles – including senior roles – from those same 11 clubs, the statistic is five percent.

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

"It is acknowledged there is loads of ability present within ethnic minority groups... they desire the opportunity to show their capabilities. It is imperative to persist in striving to break those obstacles down."

Furthermore, Rosenior will become the fourth permanent English head coaches currently in the Premier League – joining Sean Dyche, Eddie Howe as well as Scott Parker – which trails the continent's remaining major leagues in terms of national managers.

Sixteen out of twenty first division coaches in Italy are Italian, 11 of the 20 in Spain, 12 in the Bundesliga in Germany and Ten in Ligue 1 are French.

Current Chelsea caretaker manager Calum McFarlane commented: "I have no doubt every aspiring British managers from an academy background are, in some way no matter who you support, supporting Liam.

"It is truly motivating for young English academy coaches to see someone get that job with that profile and we hope he does really well."

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

His father, Leroy, Rosenior Sr., had a career with clubs such as West London clubs, West Ham and Queens Park Rangers, with his coaching stint peaked with a brief spell in charge of the third-tier club Brentford FC back in 2006.

In 2019, he was awarded an MBE in the Honours List for his services to tackling discrimination 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, and in one piece he addressed the under-representation among managers. He pointed out that ethnicity does not influence coaching skill and said roles should be given on merit.

He further expressed the view he has often stated: that significant lack of diversity results in misunderstandings regarding footballers with diverse cultural and ethnic backgrounds.

During an interview for a football podcast, Rosenior highlighted how his star striker, Emmanuel Emegha, had been described as "difficult" or "emotional", noting that he could relate to the Dutch international of Nigerian descent. Emegha is set to follow him in moving from France to West London in July.

In subsequent Guardian columns, he also confessed to being "embarrassed" to hear an unnamed coach utter a homophobic slur. He vowed his support for the Rainbow Laces initiative and authored an open letter to the former US President while he was in office, condemning his "overt" prejudice.

Rosenior has since made his name in the dugout – first at Hull City, later at Strasbourg – and Wayne Rooney recently stating Rosenior was "as good a coach as I've ever worked with" after their collaboration with Derby.

The manager bid his farewells at Strasbourg earlier this week before signing a long-term deal at Chelsea.

The Blues boasted the top flight's first black boss with Gullit and the first black skipper named Paul Elliott.

Elliott later held several senior positions, including the FA's equality board|