A Historic Milestone as Rosenior Breaks Barriers

"He is an excellent manager who knows the game back to front, and that's the crucial factor.

"However, as the Blues' pioneering African heritage footballer, I would be lying if I said this moment does not affect me."

These were the sentiments of Paul Canoville, the man who made his groundbreaking first appearance for the Blues' first team off the bench in April 1982.

This week, Chelsea named RC Strasbourg manager Rosenior, 41, to be their next manager after the departure of manager Enzo Maresca.

The French club is part of a Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital-owned ownership group that also controls Chelsea.

Statistics show a mere twelve of African or Caribbean heritage managers – excluding those in interim roles – in England's top flight since its inception thirty-four years ago.

"What really strikes me about Liam is he was raised and developed his game not far from here, he knows this community," continued Canoville.

"Whenever youngsters see a figure like Rosenior managing their club, someone they can identify with, from a similar background, who comes from a family that fights for what's right… it is impactful and shows them the path is there.

"Indeed, it is a huge moment for the club, for London, for all young person dreaming big.

"However, currently? We must support Rosenior, give him what he needs, and allow him to do his work."

What Does the Numbers Show?

The iconic Dutchman Ruud Gullit was appointed Chelsea manager back in the nineties thereby becoming the top flight's inaugural African heritage manager.

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

The Hammers' manager Nuno Espirito Santo is the sole additional current Premier League boss from a minority ethnic background.

The lack of managers of colour across English football corresponds with a lack of representation at executive level.

According to the BFP 2023 study, forty-three percent of top-flight footballers come from African or Caribbean backgrounds.

However, research from the equality organization revealed just 3.2% of executive and leadership management teams at most Premier League clubs are held by people from minority ethnic communities.

Regarding senior coaching level, according to figures from 11 clubs, the percentage stands at 2%.

For all coaching roles – including senior roles – from those same 11 clubs, the figure is 5%.

"He's certainly broken barriers in terms of his appointment as the Chelsea manager, and as an organization, we want to see more of that," stated the chief executive of Kick It Out Samuel Okafor.

"It is acknowledged that there exists loads of ability present in the black and underrepresented communities... they desire the opportunity to show their capabilities. It is imperative to continue to striving to break those barriers down."

Furthermore, Rosenior is set to become the fourth full-time British head coaches currently managing in the top flight – alongside Sean Dyche, Eddie Howe as well as Scott Parker – which trails Europe's remaining big five leagues in terms of homegrown representation.

Sixteen out of twenty top-flight managers in Italy are from Italy, Eleven in La Liga are Spanish, 12 of the 18 are German and 10 in Ligue 1 in France.

The present Chelsea interim boss Calum McFarlane said: "I have no doubt all young English coaches from an academy background will be, to some degree no matter who you support, rooting for Liam.

"It is really inspirational for young English academy coaches to witness someone land such a role with his background and everyone hopes he does really well."

'Let's not forget – his appointment is due to ability'

Leroy Rosenior, Rosenior Sr., had a career with the likes of West London clubs, the Hammers as well as Queens Park Rangers, and his coaching stint culminating in a brief stint in charge of then-League One side Brentford in 2006.

Two years ago, he was awarded a Member of the Order of the British Empire in the Honours List for his services to tackling inequality within the sport and beyond.

After Liam hung up his boots he followed a path in management. He began penning articles for The Guardian, and in one piece he acknowledged the under-representation of black coaches. He pointed out that ethnicity does not determine coaching skill arguing that roles must be awarded based on qualification.

He also made a point he would repeat: how vast lack of diversity leads to misunderstandings regarding footballers from different ethnic and cultural backgrounds.

During an interview for a football podcast, he explained the way his star striker, Emmanuel Emegha, had been described as "difficult" and "emotional", but said he could relate to the Dutch international with Nigerian parentage. The striker is expected to follow him with a move from France to Chelsea this summer.

In further Guardian columns, Rosenior also admitted he was "ashamed" to hear an unnamed staff member make a homophobic slur. He vowed support for the Premier League's inclusion initiative and wrote an open letter to the former US President during his first US presidency, condemning his "overt" racism.

He has subsequently built his reputation as a manager – first at Hull City, then Strasbourg – and Wayne Rooney said this week he was "among the best coaches I've ever worked with" following their collaboration with Derby.

The manager bid goodbye at Strasbourg on Tuesday morning before signing a long-term deal with the Blues.

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

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