A Moving Moment as Rosenior Shatters Boundaries

"Rosenior represents a quality coach that knows the game back to front, and that's what matters most.

"However, in my role as Chelsea's first black player, it would be dishonest to claim this appointment doesn't move me."

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

On Tuesday, Chelsea hired RC Strasbourg manager Liam Rosenior, aged 41, to be their next manager following the exit of manager Enzo Maresca.

Strasbourg are part of the multi-club BlueCo which also controls Chelsea.

Statistics show just twelve of African or Caribbean heritage managers – not including individuals in temporary caretaker positions – in the Premier League since it began 34 years ago.

"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 see a figure like Rosenior in charge of the team they support, a person they can identify with, from a similar background, from a household that champions equality… that's impactful and shows them the path is there.

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

"But right now? Let's back Liam, provide him with what he needs, and let the man do his work."

What Do the Numbers Indicate?

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

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

West Ham boss Nuno Espirito Santo currently stands as the only other current Premier League gaffer from a minority ethnic background.

The shortage of ethnic minority managers throughout the English game corresponds with an absence of representation at executive level.

According to a Black Footballers Partnership 2023 study, forty-three percent of Premier League players come from African or Caribbean backgrounds.

Yet, research by the equality organization revealed just 3.2 percent of board and senior leadership management teams at most Premier League clubs are from ethnically diverse communities.

At first-team coaching level, based on figures provided by 11 clubs, the percentage is two percent.

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

"He's certainly made history by virtue of him being announced as the Chelsea manager, and we want to witness more such appointments," said the chief executive of Kick It Out Samuel Okafor.

"It is acknowledged that there exists a wealth of ability present within ethnic minority groups... aspiring coaches desire a chance to show their capabilities. It is imperative to continue to striving to break those barriers down."

Additionally, the new appointee will become one of only four full-time British head coaches currently managing in the top flight – joining Sean Dyche, Eddie Howe and Scott Parker – a number that trails the continent's remaining big five leagues regarding homegrown managers.

16 of the 20 first division managers in Serie A are from Italy, 11 of the 20 are Spanish, 12 in the Bundesliga in Germany and Ten in Ligue 1 are French.

Current Blues interim boss Calum McFarlane said: "I have no doubt every young English managers from an academy background will be, to some degree regardless of allegiance, supporting Liam.

"It's truly motivating to young English coaches in the system to witness an individual get that job with his background and everyone hopes he will be really well."

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

His father, Leroy, Rosenior Sr., had a career with clubs such as Fulham, West Ham and Queens Park Rangers, and his coaching stint culminating in a five-month stint in charge of the third-tier club Brentford back in 2006.

Two years ago, he received an MBE in the Honours List for services rendered to tackling discrimination within the sport and beyond.

When Rosenior Jr retired from playing he pursued his father's footsteps. He began penning a column for a national newspaper, where in 2017 he addressed the under-representation of black coaches. He highlighted that race does not determine coaching skill and said opportunities must be awarded based on qualification.

He further expressed a point he has often stated: how significant lack of diversity leads to a failure to understand of players with diverse cultural and ethnic backgrounds.

In a podcast for a football podcast, he explained the way his star striker, Emmanuel Emegha, had been described as "hard to manage" or "passionate", noting that he understood the Netherlands player of Nigerian descent. The striker is expected to join him with a move from France to West London this summer.

In subsequent Guardian columns, Rosenior also admitted he was "ashamed" to hear a coach make a homophobic slur. He pledged his support for the Premier League's Rainbow Laces initiative and authored a public message to Donald Trump while he was in office, accusing him of "blatant" racism.

Rosenior has since built his reputation as a manager – initially with Hull City, later at Strasbourg – and Wayne Rooney said this week Rosenior was "as good a coach as I've ever worked with" following their collaboration with Derby.

Rosenior said his farewells to his former club on Tuesday morning prior to putting pen to paper on a six‑and‑a‑half‑year contract at Chelsea.

The Blues had the Premier League's first black manager with Gullit and the first black captain in Paul Elliott.

Elliott later worked in several senior positions, among them the FA's equality board|