An Historic Milestone as Rosenior Shatters Boundaries

"He is an excellent manager that knows football intimately, and that's what matters most.

"But, in my role as the Blues' first black footballer, it would be dishonest if I said this moment does not affect me."

Those are the words expressed by the former Chelsea winger, the man who made his historic debut for Chelsea's senior side as a substitute in April 1982.

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

Strasbourg are within the Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital-owned ownership group which also owns Chelsea.

Statistics show only 12 black managers – not including those holding temporary caretaker positions – in England's top flight since its inception 34 years ago.

"What really strikes me about Liam is he grew up and developed his game not far from here, he understands this area," continued Canoville.

"Whenever children observe someone like Liam managing their club, a person they can identify with, from a similar background, from a household that fights for equality… it is profound and shows them that opportunities exist.

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

"But right now? We must support Rosenior, provide him with what he needs, and allow him to do his work."

What Do the Numbers Show?

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

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

The Hammers' manager Nuno Espirito Santo is the only other present top flight boss from a minority ethnic background.

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

According to the BFP 2023 report, 43% of top-flight footballers are from black backgrounds.

However, research by Kick It Out found only 3.2% of board and senior leadership positions across 17 of 20 Premier League clubs are held by people from ethnically diverse communities.

At first-team coaching positions, according to data provided by 11 clubs, the figure is two percent.

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

"He has undoubtedly made history in terms of his appointment as Chelsea manager, and as an organization, we hope to see more of that," said the chief executive of Kick It Out Samuel Okafor.

"It is acknowledged there is loads of talent present within black and underrepresented groups... aspiring coaches want the opportunity to demonstrate what they can do. It is imperative to persist in work hard to dismantle those obstacles down."

Additionally, Rosenior will become the fourth full-time English managers presently in the Premier League – joining Sean Dyche, Eddie Howe as well as Scott Parker – which lags behind the continent's remaining big five divisions in terms of national managers.

16 of the 20 top-flight coaches in Italy are from Italy, 11 of the 20 are Spanish, 12 in the Bundesliga are German while Ten of the 18 are French.

Current Chelsea caretaker manager Calum McFarlane commented: "I'm sure all young English coaches from an academy background are, in some way regardless of allegiance, supporting Liam.

"It's truly inspirational for young English academy coaches to witness an individual land that job with that profile and we hope he will be really well."

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

Leroy Rosenior, Rosenior Sr., had a career with the likes of Fulham, West Ham and Queens Park Rangers, and his coaching stint culminating in a five-month spell in charge of the third-tier club Brentford FC in 2006.

Two years ago, he was awarded an MBE in that year's 2019 New Year Honours for his services in combating inequality 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, and in one piece he addressed the lack of diversity among managers. He highlighted that ethnicity does not determine ability arguing that opportunities must be awarded on merit.

He further expressed a point he has often stated: that vast under-representation results in a failure to understand regarding footballers from different ethnic and cultural heritage.

In a podcast for a football podcast, Rosenior highlighted the way his star striker, Emmanuel Emegha, was labelled "difficult" and "emotional", but said he could relate to the Dutch player with Nigerian parentage. The striker is expected to join him with a move from Strasbourg to Chelsea in July.

In further newspaper articles, he also confessed he was "ashamed" upon hearing a staff member make a discriminatory remark. He pledged his support for the Premier League's inclusion campaign and authored an open letter to Donald Trump while he was in office, condemning his "blatant" racism.

Rosenior has since made his name in the dugout – first at Hull City, later at Strasbourg – with Wayne Rooney said this week he was "as good a coach as I've ever worked with" after their collaboration at Derby County.

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

The Blues boasted the top flight's first African heritage manager with Gullit as well as the first black skipper named Paul Elliott.

Elliott later held multiple executive roles, including the FA's equality board|