An Moving Moment when Rosenior Overcomes Obstacles

"He is an excellent coach who understands the game inside out, and that's the most important thing.

"But, as Chelsea's pioneering African heritage player, I would be lying to claim this news doesn't move me."

These were the words expressed by the former Chelsea winger, who earned his groundbreaking first appearance for the Blues' first team as a substitute back in April 1982.

This week, Chelsea appointed Strasbourg boss Rosenior, 41, as their next head coach following the exit of Enzo Maresca.

Strasbourg are part of the Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital-owned BlueCo that also controls the London club.

There have been just twelve black managers – not including individuals in temporary caretaker roles – in England's top flight since its inception 34 years ago.

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

"When youngsters observe a figure like Rosenior in charge of their club, someone they can identify with, from a similar background, from a family that fights for equality… that's powerful demonstrating that opportunities exist.

"So yes, this represents an enormous step for the club, for London, for all young person dreaming big.

"However, currently? We must support Rosenior, give him what he needs, and let the man do his work."

What Does the Data Show?

The iconic Dutchman Ruud Gullit became Chelsea head coach back in the nineties thereby becoming the top flight's first African heritage manager.

Twelve years later, in 2008, Paul Ince was appointed as the first black English manager in the Premier League after taking charge at Blackburn Rovers.

West Ham manager Nuno Espirito Santo is the only other present Premier League boss from a minority ethnic background.

The scarcity of ethnic minority managers across English football corresponds with a lack of representation in the boardroom.

According to a Black Footballers Partnership 2023 study, forty-three percent of Premier League players are from black backgrounds.

Yet, analysis by Kick It Out revealed just 3.2 percent of board and senior leadership positions at most Premier League clubs are held by people from minority ethnic backgrounds.

At first-team coaching positions, according to figures provided by eleven clubs, the percentage stands at 2%.

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

"He has undoubtedly broken barriers by virtue of his appointment as a the Chelsea manager, and we want to witness more such appointments," stated the chief executive of Kick It Out Samuel Okafor.

"We know that there exists loads of ability present within ethnic minority groups... they desire the opportunity to demonstrate their capabilities. We need to continue to work hard to dismantle those obstacles once and for all."

Furthermore, Rosenior will become one of only four full-time British managers presently in the Premier League – alongside Sean Dyche, Eddie Howe as well as Scott Parker – which lags behind the continent's other big five divisions regarding homegrown managers.

16 out of twenty top-flight coaches in Italy are from Italy, 11 in La Liga are Spanish, Twelve in the Bundesliga in Germany and 10 of the 18 in France.

Current Blues interim boss Calum McFarlane said: "I'm sure all aspiring British coaches with a youth development pedigree are, to some degree no matter who you support, rooting for Liam.

"It is truly motivating for young English academy coaches to witness someone land such a role with his background and everyone hopes he will be highly successful."

It is vital to remember – his appointment is on merit'

His father, Leroy, Liam's father, played for the likes of West London clubs, West Ham as well as Queens Park Rangers, and his managerial career culminating in a brief spell at the third-tier club Brentford back 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 discrimination in football and beyond.

When Rosenior Jr hung up his boots he followed his father's footsteps. He started writing a column for a national newspaper, where in 2017 he addressed the lack of diversity among managers. He pointed out that ethnicity does not influence ability arguing that opportunities should be given based on qualification.

He further expressed the view he would repeat: how significant under-representation results in 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 "hard to manage" or "emotional", noting that he understood the Dutch international with Nigerian parentage. Emegha is set to join him with a move from Strasbourg to West London in July.

In further Guardian columns, Rosenior also admitted he was "embarrassed" to hear an unnamed staff member make a homophobic slur. He pledged support for the inclusion campaign and authored an open letter to Donald Trump while he was in office, condemning his "blatant" racism.

He has subsequently built his reputation in the dugout – first at Hull City, later at Strasbourg – with Wayne Rooney said this week he was "among the best coaches I've ever worked with" after their collaboration with Derby.

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

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

Elliott has since worked in multiple executive roles, including the Football Association's diversity and inclusion board|