An Emotional Event when Rosenior Overcomes Obstacles

"He is a quality tactician who understands football back to front, which is the most important thing.

"But, as Chelsea's pioneering African heritage footballer, I would be lying if I said this appointment doesn't move me."

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

On Tuesday, the club appointed Strasbourg manager Rosenior, 41, as their new head coach after the exit of manager Enzo Maresca.

The French club is part of the multi-club BlueCo that also controls Chelsea.

There have been just 12 of African or Caribbean heritage managers – excluding individuals in interim roles – in the Premier League since it began 34 years ago.

"One thing that impresses me regarding Rosenior is that he grew up and developed his game not far from here, he knows the local fans," continued Canoville.

"Whenever youngsters see someone like Liam managing their club, a person who looks like them, who's from their ends, who comes from a household that fights for what's right… that's impactful and shows them the path is there.

"So yes, it is a massive step for the club, for London, for every young person with big dreams.

"However, currently? Let's back Liam, provide him with what he needs, and allow him to get on with the job."

What Does the Statistics Indicate?

The iconic Dutchman Ruud Gullit was appointed the Blues' manager in 1996 thereby becoming the top flight's first black head coach.

A dozen years on, by 2008, Paul Ince was appointed as the first English black boss in the Premier League after taking charge at Blackburn Rovers.

The Hammers' manager Nuno Espirito Santo currently stands as the only other present Premier League gaffer of colour.

The scarcity of ethnic minority managers across the English game corresponds with an absence of diversity in the boardroom.

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

Yet, analysis by Kick It Out revealed just 3.2% of executive and leadership management teams across most Premier League clubs are from minority ethnic communities.

At first-team coaching positions, according to data from 11 clubs, the percentage stands at 2%.

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

"He's certainly broken barriers by virtue of him being announced as the Chelsea head coach, and as an organization, we hope to witness more such appointments," stated Kick It Out CEO Samuel Okafor.

"We know that there exists a wealth of talent that exists within ethnic minority communities... aspiring coaches want a chance to show their capabilities. It is imperative to continue to striving to break those obstacles once and for all."

Furthermore, the new appointee is set to become the fourth full-time English managers currently managing in the top flight – joining Sean Dyche, Eddie Howe as well as Scott Parker – a number that trails the continent's remaining big five divisions in terms of homegrown representation.

16 of the 20 first division coaches in Italy are from Italy, 11 in La Liga in Spain, 12 in the Bundesliga are German and 10 of the 18 are French.

The present Chelsea caretaker manager Calum McFarlane said: "I'm sure all young English coaches from an academy background are, in some way no matter who you support, supporting Liam.

"It's truly inspirational to young English academy coaches to see someone get that job with his background and we hope he will be really well."

It is vital to remember – his appointment is based on talent'

His father, Leroy, Rosenior Sr., had a career with the likes of Fulham, the Hammers as well as Queens Park Rangers, with his managerial career culminating in a brief stint at then-League One side Brentford FC in 2006.

Two years ago, he was awarded an MBE in the 2019 New Year Honours for services rendered in combating inequality in football and wider society.

When Rosenior Jr hung up his boots he pursued a path in management. He began writing articles for The Guardian, where in 2017 he addressed the under-representation of black coaches. He pointed out that race does not influence ability arguing that roles must be awarded based on qualification.

He further expressed the view he has often stated: that significant lack of diversity leads to misunderstandings of players from different cultural and ethnic heritage.

During an interview with The Athletic FC, he explained the way his star striker, Emmanuel Emegha, had been described as "hard to manage" and "emotional", noting that he understood the Netherlands international with Nigerian parentage. Emegha is set to join him with a move from France to Chelsea this summer.

In further newspaper articles, he also confessed he was "ashamed" upon hearing a staff member utter a discriminatory remark. He vowed support for the Premier League's Rainbow Laces initiative and wrote an open letter to the former US President while he was in office, accusing him of "blatant" racism.

He has subsequently built his reputation in the dugout – first at Hull City, then Strasbourg – with Wayne Rooney recently stating Rosenior was "among the best coaches I've ever worked with" following their collaboration at Derby County.

Rosenior said goodbye at Strasbourg on Tuesday morning prior to putting pen to paper on a long-term contract with the Blues.

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

Elliott has since worked in several executive roles, including the FA's equality board|