An Historic Event when Liam Rosenior Shatters Obstacles

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

"But, in my role as the Blues' pioneering African heritage footballer, it would be dishonest if I said this appointment does not affect me."

These were the sentiments expressed by the former Chelsea winger, who earned his historic first appearance for the Blues' first team off the bench back in April 1982.

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

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

There have been only twelve of African or Caribbean heritage head coaches – not including individuals holding interim positions – in the Premier League since its inception 34 in the past.

"What really strikes me regarding Rosenior is he grew up and played not far from here, he knows this area," continued Canoville.

"Whenever youngsters see someone like Liam managing their club, someone they can identify with, who's from their ends, from a family that fights for what's right… that's profound and shows them that opportunities exist.

"So yes, this represents a huge step for Chelsea, for London, for all young person dreaming big.

"But right now? We must support Rosenior, provide him with the necessary tools, and let the man get on with the job."

What Do the Numbers Indicate?

Dutch legend Ruud Gullit was appointed the Blues' head coach back in the nineties thereby becoming the Premier League's first African heritage manager.

A dozen years on, in 2008, Paul Ince became the first English black manager in the Premier League after taking charge at Blackburn Rovers.

West Ham manager Nuno Espirito Santo is the only other current top flight gaffer of colour.

The lack of managers of colour across English football is matched by a lack of diversity at executive level.

As per the BFP 2023 study, forty-three percent of Premier League footballers are from black backgrounds.

However, research by Kick It Out found just 3.2 percent of executive and leadership management teams across 17 of 20 Premier League clubs are held by people from minority ethnic backgrounds.

Regarding first-team coaching positions, according to figures from 11 clubs, the figure is two percent.

Across all coaching positions – encompassing head coaches – from those same 11 clubs, the statistic is five percent.

"He has undoubtedly broken barriers in terms of his appointment as a the Chelsea head coach, and we want to witness more such appointments," said the chief executive of Kick It Out Samuel Okafor.

"It is acknowledged that there exists loads of ability present within ethnic minority groups... they want a chance to demonstrate what they can do. It is imperative to persist in work hard to break those barriers down."

Furthermore, the new appointee will become the fourth full-time English head coaches presently managing in the top flight – alongside Sean Dyche, Eddie Howe as well as Scott Parker – a number that trails Europe's other big five leagues regarding homegrown representation.

Sixteen out of twenty first division managers in Serie A are from Italy, Eleven of the 20 are Spanish, 12 in the Bundesliga in Germany and Ten of the 18 in France.

Current Blues interim boss Calum McFarlane said: "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 truly motivating to young English academy coaches to see someone land that job with his background and we hope he does highly successful."

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

Leroy Rosenior, Rosenior Sr., played for clubs such as Fulham, the Hammers as well as Queens Park Rangers, with his coaching stint culminating in a brief stint at then-League One side Brentford back in 2006.

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

When Rosenior Jr hung up his boots he followed his father's footsteps. He began penning articles for a national newspaper, where in 2017 he addressed the under-representation among managers. He pointed out that ethnicity does not influence ability arguing that roles must be awarded based on qualification.

He also made a point he has often stated: how significant under-representation leads to a failure to understand regarding footballers with diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds.

In a podcast with The Athletic FC, Rosenior highlighted how his leading forward, Emmanuel Emegha, had been described as "hard to manage" or "emotional", but said he could relate to the Netherlands player with Nigerian parentage. The striker is expected to follow him in moving from France to Chelsea in July.

In subsequent newspaper articles, Rosenior also admitted to being "embarrassed" to hear a staff member utter a discriminatory remark. He pledged support for the Rainbow Laces initiative and authored a public message to Donald Trump during his first US presidency, accusing him of "overt" prejudice.

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

The manager bid his farewells to his former club on Tuesday morning before signing a long-term contract with the Blues.

Chelsea had the Premier League's first African heritage manager with Gullit as well as the first black skipper named Paul Elliott.

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