A Emotional Event when Liam Rosenior Overcomes Boundaries

"Rosenior represents a quality coach that knows the game inside out, and that's what matters most.

"But, as Chelsea's first black player, I would be lying if I said this news does not affect me."

Those are the sentiments of the former Chelsea winger, the man who made his historic first appearance for the Blues' first team as a substitute in the spring of 1982.

On Tuesday, the club hired Strasbourg boss Liam Rosenior, aged 41, as their new head coach after the departure of manager Enzo Maresca.

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

There have been only 12 of African or Caribbean heritage managers – not including individuals holding interim roles – in the Premier League since its inception 34 years ago.

"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 kids observe a figure like Rosenior in charge of their club, someone they can identify with, who's from their ends, from a family that fights for what's right… that's impactful demonstrating that opportunities exist.

"Indeed, it is a massive step for the club, for the capital, for all aspiring individual with big dreams.

"But right now? Let's back Liam, give him the necessary tools, and let the man do his work."

What Do the Numbers Indicate?

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

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

West Ham boss Nuno Espirito Santo is the only other current top flight boss from a minority ethnic background.

The lack of managers of colour throughout English football corresponds with an absence of representation in the boardroom.

As per the BFP 2023's study, 43% of Premier League footballers are from African or Caribbean heritage.

Yet, research from Kick It Out found only 3.2 percent of board and senior leadership positions at 17 of 20 Premier League clubs are from minority ethnic backgrounds.

At first-team coaching level, according to figures from eleven clubs, the percentage is 2%.

Across all coaching roles – encompassing senior roles – from the same 11 clubs, the figure is just 5%.

"He has undoubtedly made history by virtue of his appointment as a the Chelsea manager, and as an organization, we hope to see more of that," said Kick It Out CEO Samuel Okafor.

"It is acknowledged that there exists a wealth of talent that exists within black and underrepresented groups... aspiring coaches desire a chance to demonstrate their capabilities. It is imperative to persist in work hard to dismantle those obstacles down."

Additionally, Rosenior will become the fourth full-time English head coaches presently managing in the top flight – alongside Sean Dyche, Eddie Howe and Scott Parker – a number that lags behind the continent's remaining major divisions in terms of homegrown representation.

Sixteen of the 20 top-flight coaches in Serie A are Italian, Eleven of the 20 are Spanish, 12 of the 18 in Germany while Ten in Ligue 1 in France.

Current Blues caretaker manager Calum McFarlane commented: "I'm sure all aspiring British coaches from an academy background will be, to some degree no matter who you support, rooting for Liam.

"It's truly inspirational to up-and-coming British academy coaches to witness someone get such a role with his background and everyone hopes he does highly successful."

'Let's not forget – he's there due to ability'

Leroy Rosenior, Liam's father, played for the likes of West London clubs, West Ham as well as Queens Park Rangers, and his coaching stint culminating in a five-month stint 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 2019 New Year Honours for services rendered in combating discrimination within the sport and wider society.

When Rosenior Jr hung up his boots he pursued a path in management. He started writing a column for The Guardian, where in 2017 he addressed the under-representation among managers. He pointed out that race does not influence ability and said opportunities should be given based on qualification.

He further expressed the view he would repeat: that vast lack of diversity results in misunderstandings regarding footballers with diverse cultural and ethnic heritage.

In a podcast for a football podcast, he explained how his star striker, Emmanuel Emegha, was labelled "difficult" or "emotional", noting that he understood the Netherlands player with Nigerian parentage. Emegha is set to join him with a move from France to West London this summer.

In further Guardian columns, he also confessed he was "ashamed" to hear a coach utter a discriminatory remark. He pledged support for the inclusion campaign and authored a public message to the former US President while he was in office, condemning his "blatant" prejudice.

He has subsequently made his name as a manager – initially with Hull City, then Strasbourg – and Wayne Rooney said this week Rosenior was "as good a coach as I've ever worked with" following their time together at Derby County.

The manager bid goodbye to his former club earlier this week before signing a six‑and‑a‑half‑year deal with the Blues.

The Blues had the Premier League's pioneering African heritage manager in Gullit and the first black skipper named Paul Elliott.

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