A Moving Milestone when Rosenior Breaks Obstacles

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

"However, as Chelsea's pioneering African heritage player, I would be lying if I said this news does not affect me."

Those are the sentiments expressed by Paul Canoville, who made his historic first appearance for Chelsea's senior side off the bench back in the spring of 1982.

On Tuesday, Chelsea hired RC Strasbourg manager Rosenior, 41, as their new manager after the exit of manager Enzo Maresca.

Strasbourg are part of the multi-club BlueCo which also owns the London club.

Statistics show a mere twelve of African or Caribbean heritage managers – excluding those holding interim positions – in England's top flight since its inception thirty-four in the past.

"One thing that impresses me about Liam is he was raised and developed his game not far from here, he knows this community," continued Canoville.

"Whenever children see a figure like Rosenior managing their club, a person they can identify with, from a similar background, who comes from a family that fights for equality… it is impactful and shows them that opportunities exist.

"Indeed, it is an enormous step for the club, for London, for all young person dreaming big.

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

What Exactly Do the Statistics Show?

The iconic Dutchman Ruud Gullit became the Blues' manager back in the nineties and became the Premier League's first African heritage manager.

Twelve years later, by 2008, Paul Ince became the pioneering English black boss in the top flight when he took over Blackburn Rovers.

West Ham boss Nuno Espirito Santo is the sole additional present top flight gaffer of colour.

The shortage of managers of colour across English football corresponds with a lack of representation in the boardroom.

According to the BFP 2023's study, 43% of top-flight footballers come from black heritage.

Yet, analysis by the equality organization found just 3.2 percent of board and senior leadership positions at most Premier League clubs are from ethnically diverse backgrounds.

At first-team coaching positions, according to figures provided by eleven clubs, the figure stands at 2%.

For all coaching positions – including senior roles – from the same 11 clubs, the statistic is 5%.

"He's certainly broken barriers by virtue of him being announced as a the Chelsea head coach, and as an organization, we hope to see more of that," said the chief executive of Kick It Out Samuel Okafor.

"We know that there exists loads of talent present in the ethnic minority communities... aspiring coaches desire a chance to show their capabilities. It is imperative to continue to striving to break those obstacles down."

Additionally, the new appointee will become the fourth permanent English head coaches currently managing in the top flight – alongside Sean Dyche, Eddie Howe and Scott Parker – a number that trails the continent's other major leagues in terms of national representation.

Sixteen out of twenty first division managers in Italy are from Italy, 11 in La Liga are Spanish, Twelve in the Bundesliga in Germany while Ten of the 18 are French.

Current Blues interim boss Calum McFarlane commented: "I have no doubt every young English coaches with a youth development pedigree will be, in some way no matter who you support, rooting for Liam.

"It's really motivating for up-and-coming British academy coaches to see an individual get that job with that profile and we hope he will be really well."

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

His father, Leroy, Rosenior Sr., played for clubs such as Fulham, West Ham and Queens Park Rangers, with his managerial career culminating in a brief spell at then-League One side Brentford in 2006.

Two years ago, he received an MBE in the 2019 New Year Honours for his services to tackling inequality in football and wider society.

After Liam retired from playing he pursued a path in management. He began penning articles for The Guardian, where in 2017 he addressed the lack of diversity of black coaches. He pointed out that ethnicity does not influence ability and said roles should be given based on qualification.

He further expressed the view he has often stated: how vast lack of diversity leads to a failure to understand regarding footballers from different ethnic and cultural backgrounds.

During an interview for a football podcast, Rosenior highlighted the way his leading forward, Emmanuel Emegha, had been described as "difficult" and "emotional", noting that he understood the Netherlands player with Nigerian parentage. The striker is expected to join him with a move from Strasbourg to Chelsea in July.

In further Guardian columns, Rosenior also admitted to being "ashamed" to hear a coach make a homophobic slur. He pledged his support for the Rainbow Laces campaign and authored a public message to Donald Trump during his first US presidency, condemning his "overt" racism.

Rosenior has since made his name in the dugout – initially with Hull City, then 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 goodbye at Strasbourg on Tuesday morning before signing a long-term deal at Chelsea.

The Blues had the Premier League's first African heritage boss in Gullit and the first black captain in Paul Elliott.

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