An Significant Milestone as Rosenior Breaks Boundaries

"He is a top manager that understands the game intimately, and that's the crucial factor.

"However, as the Blues' pioneering African heritage footballer, I would be lying if I said this moment doesn't move me."

These were the sentiments of the former Chelsea winger, who earned his groundbreaking debut for the Blues' first team off the bench in the spring of 1982.

On Tuesday, the club named RC Strasbourg manager Rosenior, 41, as their new manager following the exit of Enzo Maresca.

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

Statistics show a mere twelve of African or Caribbean heritage head coaches – not including individuals in interim positions – in the Premier League since its inception 34 in the past.

"What really strikes me regarding Rosenior is that he grew up and developed his game locally, he understands this area," added Canoville.

"Whenever children see someone like Liam in charge of their club, someone they can identify with, from a similar background, from a household that fights for what's right… that's impactful and shows them that opportunities exist.

"So yes, this represents a massive moment for Chelsea, for the capital, for every young person with big dreams.

"However, currently? We must support Rosenior, give him what he needs, and let the man get on with the job."

What Does the Data Show?

The iconic Dutchman Ruud Gullit became the Blues' manager back in the nineties and became the top flight's first black head coach.

A dozen years on, in 2008, Paul Ince was appointed as the pioneering English black boss in the top flight when he took over Blackburn Rovers.

West Ham boss Nuno Espirito Santo is the only other present Premier League boss of colour.

The shortage of managers of colour throughout the English game is matched by an absence of representation in the boardroom.

According to a BFP 2023 study, 43% of Premier League footballers are from black backgrounds.

However, analysis from the equality organization found only 3.2% of board and senior leadership positions at 17 of 20 Premier League clubs are from minority ethnic communities.

At first-team coaching level, based on figures from 11 clubs, the percentage is 2%.

For all coaching positions – encompassing senior roles – from the same eleven clubs, the figure is five percent.

"He's certainly made history by virtue of his appointment as the Chelsea head coach, and as an organization, we want to witness more such appointments," stated the chief executive of Kick It Out Samuel Okafor.

"We know that there exists loads of talent present in the black and underrepresented communities... aspiring coaches want the opportunity to demonstrate their capabilities. We need to continue to work hard to dismantle those obstacles once and for all."

Furthermore, the new appointee is set to become one of only four full-time English managers currently in the Premier League – alongside Sean Dyche, Eddie Howe and Scott Parker – a number that trails the continent's other big five divisions regarding homegrown representation.

16 of the 20 top-flight coaches in Italy are from Italy, 11 in La Liga are Spanish, 12 in the Bundesliga are German while 10 of the 18 in France.

The present Blues interim boss Calum McFarlane said: "I'm sure all young English managers with a youth development pedigree are, to some degree no matter who you support, rooting for Liam.

"It is truly motivating for up-and-coming British academy coaches to see someone get that job with his background and everyone hopes he does highly successful."

'Let's not forget – he's there on merit'

His father, Leroy, Liam's father, played for clubs such as Fulham, West Ham and Queens Park Rangers, with his coaching stint culminating in a five-month stint in charge of the third-tier club Brentford FC back in 2006.

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

When Rosenior Jr hung up his boots he pursued his father's footsteps. He started penning a column for The Guardian, where in 2017 he acknowledged the under-representation of black coaches. He highlighted that ethnicity does not determine coaching skill and said roles should be given on merit.

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

In a podcast for a football podcast, Rosenior highlighted the way his leading forward, Emmanuel Emegha, was labelled "hard to manage" or "emotional", but said he understood the Netherlands player 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 to being "ashamed" upon hearing a coach utter a homophobic slur. He vowed support for the Premier League's inclusion initiative and wrote a public message to the former US President during his first US presidency, condemning his "overt" prejudice.

Rosenior has since built his reputation as a manager – first at Hull City, then Strasbourg – and Wayne Rooney recently stating he was "among the best coaches I've ever worked with" after their time together at Derby County.

Rosenior said goodbye to his former club earlier this week prior to putting pen to paper on a long-term contract with the Blues.

Chelsea boasted the top flight's first African heritage boss with Gullit as well as the first black skipper named Paul Elliott.

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