An Powerful Milestone as Rosenior Overcomes Barriers

"He is a quality manager that knows football back to front, which is what matters most.

"But, in my role as Chelsea's first African heritage player, I would be lying to claim this news does not affect me."

These were the words of the former Chelsea winger, the man who earned his groundbreaking first appearance for Chelsea's senior side off the bench in the spring of 1982.

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

The French club is part of a multi-club BlueCo that also owns the London club.

There have been a mere 12 black head coaches – not including individuals in temporary caretaker positions – in England's top flight since its inception thirty-four years ago.

"What really strikes me about Liam is that he was raised and played locally, he understands this community," added Canoville.

"Whenever kids observe a figure like Rosenior in charge of their club, someone who looks like them, who's from their ends, who comes from a household that champions what's right… it is profound and shows them the path is there.

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

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

What Does the Data Indicate?

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

Twelve years later, in 2008, Paul Ince became the first English black manager in the top flight after taking charge at Blackburn Rovers.

The Hammers' boss Nuno Espirito Santo is the only other present top flight gaffer of colour.

The shortage of managers of colour throughout the English game corresponds with a lack of diversity in the boardroom.

According to a BFP 2023's study, 43% of Premier League footballers are from African or Caribbean heritage.

However, research from Kick It Out found just 3.2% of executive and leadership management teams at 17 of 20 Premier League clubs are from minority ethnic communities.

Regarding first-team coaching level, according to figures provided by 11 clubs, the figure is two percent.

Across all coaching roles – including senior roles – from those same eleven clubs, the statistic is just five percent.

"He's certainly made history by virtue of his appointment as Chelsea manager, and as an organization, we want to witness more such appointments," stated the chief executive of Kick It Out Samuel Okafor.

"It is acknowledged that there exists loads of ability present in the black and underrepresented communities... they desire a chance to demonstrate what they can do. It is imperative to persist in work hard to break those obstacles down."

Additionally, the new appointee is set to become one of only four permanent English head coaches currently managing in the top flight – joining Sean Dyche, Eddie Howe as well as Scott Parker – a number that trails Europe's other major divisions in terms of homegrown managers.

Sixteen out of twenty first division coaches in Serie A are from Italy, Eleven in La Liga are Spanish, Twelve in the Bundesliga are German and Ten in Ligue 1 in France.

Current Blues interim boss Calum McFarlane commented: "I'm sure all aspiring British managers from an academy background will be, to some degree no matter who you support, supporting Liam.

"It is really inspirational to up-and-coming British academy coaches to witness someone land such a role with his background and we hope he will be highly successful."

It is vital to remember – he's there on merit'

Leroy Rosenior, Liam's father, had a career with the likes of Fulham, West Ham as well as Queens Park Rangers, with his managerial career peaked with a five-month spell at then-League One side Brentford back in 2006.

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

When Rosenior Jr hung up his boots he followed his father's footsteps. He started penning articles for The Guardian, and in one piece he addressed the under-representation of black coaches. He highlighted that ethnicity does not determine ability and said roles must be awarded based on qualification.

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

During an interview for a football podcast, Rosenior highlighted how his star striker, Emmanuel Emegha, had been described as "hard to manage" or "passionate", but said he understood the Dutch international with Nigerian parentage. The striker is expected to join him with a move from Strasbourg to West London in July.

In subsequent Guardian columns, Rosenior also admitted he was "embarrassed" to hear a coach make a discriminatory remark. He pledged his support for the Premier League's inclusion initiative and authored an open letter to the former US President during his first US presidency, accusing him of "overt" racism.

Rosenior has since made his name in the dugout – initially with Hull City, then Strasbourg – and Wayne Rooney recently stating Rosenior was "as good a coach as I've ever worked with" after their time together with Derby.

The manager bid his farewells at Strasbourg earlier this week prior to putting pen to paper on a long-term contract at Chelsea.

Chelsea boasted the Premier League's pioneering black manager with Gullit and the first black captain named Paul Elliott.

Elliott later worked in several executive roles, including the Football Association's diversity and inclusion board|