An Emotional Moment as Rosenior Overcomes Obstacles

"Rosenior represents a quality coach who understands football back to front, and that's what matters most.

"However, in my role as the Blues' first African heritage player, it would be dishonest if I said this news doesn't move me."

Those are the words of the former Chelsea winger, the man who made his historic first appearance for the Blues' first team off the bench in the spring of 1982.

On Tuesday, Chelsea named Strasbourg boss Rosenior, 41, to be their next manager after the departure of Enzo Maresca.

The French club is part of a multi-club ownership group which also owns the London club.

There have been just 12 of African or Caribbean heritage managers – excluding those in temporary caretaker positions – in the Premier League since it began 34 in the past.

"One thing that impresses me about Liam is he grew up and played locally, he understands this area," added Canoville.

"Whenever kids observe someone like Liam managing their club, a person they can identify with, from a similar background, from a family that champions equality… it is profound demonstrating the path is there.

"So yes, this represents an enormous step for Chelsea, for London, for all aspiring individual with big dreams.

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

What Does the Data Show?

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

Twelve years later, in 2008, Paul Ince was appointed as the first black English boss in the Premier League when he took over Blackburn Rovers.

The Hammers' manager Nuno Espirito Santo is the only other present Premier League gaffer from a minority ethnic background.

The scarcity of managers of colour throughout the English game is matched by an absence of diversity at executive level.

As per the BFP 2023 report, forty-three percent of top-flight players come from African or Caribbean heritage.

However, analysis by Kick It Out found only 3.2 percent of board and senior leadership positions across most Premier League clubs are held by people from ethnically diverse backgrounds.

At first-team coaching level, according to figures from eleven clubs, the figure is two percent.

For all coaching roles – encompassing head coaches – from those same 11 clubs, the figure is five percent.

"He has undoubtedly made history in terms of his appointment as Chelsea head coach, and as an organization, we want to see more of that," said Kick It Out CEO Samuel Okafor.

"We know there is a wealth of talent present in the ethnic minority groups... aspiring coaches want a chance to show their capabilities. We need to continue to work hard to dismantle those barriers down."

Additionally, Rosenior is set to become the fourth full-time British managers currently managing in the top flight – joining Sean Dyche, Eddie Howe as well as Scott Parker – a number that trails Europe's remaining major leagues in terms of homegrown managers.

Sixteen of the 20 first division managers in Serie A are Italian, Eleven in La Liga are Spanish, 12 in the Bundesliga are German and 10 of the 18 in France.

The present Chelsea caretaker manager Calum McFarlane commented: "I'm sure all aspiring British managers with a youth development pedigree are, in some way no matter who you support, supporting Liam.

"It's really motivating for young English academy coaches to witness an individual land that job with that profile and everyone hopes he does really well."

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

Leroy Rosenior, Rosenior Sr., had a career with clubs such as West London clubs, West Ham as well as Queens Park Rangers, with his coaching stint peaked with a five-month spell in charge of then-League One side Brentford back in 2006.

In 2019, he received 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 beyond.

After Liam hung up his boots he followed his father's footsteps. He started writing a column for The Guardian, and in one piece he addressed the under-representation of black coaches. He pointed out that ethnicity does not influence coaching skill and said roles must be awarded based on qualification.

He further expressed a point he has often stated: how vast lack of diversity results in misunderstandings of players from different ethnic and cultural heritage.

In a podcast with The Athletic FC, he explained how his star striker, Emmanuel Emegha, had been described as "hard to manage" and "passionate", noting that he could relate to the Netherlands player with Nigerian parentage. Emegha is set to follow him with a move from Strasbourg to West London in July.

In further Guardian columns, he also confessed to being "ashamed" upon hearing a staff member utter a homophobic slur. He vowed his support for the Premier League's Rainbow Laces campaign and authored an open letter to Donald Trump during his first US presidency, accusing him of "overt" prejudice.

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

Rosenior said goodbye at Strasbourg on Tuesday morning before signing a long-term deal with the Blues.

Chelsea had the Premier League's first African heritage manager in Gullit and the first black captain named Paul Elliott.

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