A Emotional Occasion when Rosenior Breaks Barriers

"Rosenior represents an excellent manager that understands the game back to front, and that's what matters most.

"But, as Chelsea's pioneering black footballer, I would be lying to claim this moment doesn't move me."

These were the words expressed by the former Chelsea winger, who made his historic first appearance for Chelsea's senior side as a substitute back in the spring of 1982.

On Tuesday, the club hired Strasbourg boss Liam Rosenior, aged 41, as their next head coach following the departure of Enzo Maresca.

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

There have been just 12 of African or Caribbean heritage managers – not including those in temporary caretaker positions – in England's top flight since its inception thirty-four in the past.

"One thing that impresses me about Liam is he grew up and developed his game locally, he knows this community," continued Canoville.

"When kids observe a figure like Rosenior in charge of their club, someone they can identify with, who's from their ends, from a family that fights for equality… that's profound demonstrating the path is there.

"Indeed, this represents an enormous moment for Chelsea, for the capital, for all young person with big dreams.

"But right now? Let's back Liam, give him the necessary tools, and allow him to get on with the job."

What Do the Numbers Show?

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

Twelve years later, by 2008, Paul Ince was appointed as the pioneering English black boss in the Premier League when he took over Blackburn Rovers.

The Hammers' manager Nuno Espirito Santo is the only other present Premier League gaffer from a minority ethnic background.

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

As per a BFP 2023's report, forty-three percent of Premier League players are from black backgrounds.

Yet, research by Kick It Out found only 3.2 percent of executive and leadership positions across 17 of 20 Premier League clubs are from minority ethnic communities.

At first-team coaching level, based on data provided by 11 clubs, the percentage stands at 2%.

Across all coaching positions – encompassing head coaches – from those same 11 clubs, the statistic is just 5%.

"He has undoubtedly made history in terms of his appointment as Chelsea head coach, and we want to witness more such appointments," said Kick It Out CEO Samuel Okafor.

"We know that there exists a wealth of talent present within ethnic minority groups... aspiring coaches desire the opportunity to show their capabilities. We need to continue to striving to dismantle those obstacles once and for all."

Additionally, Rosenior will become one of only four full-time British head coaches presently managing in the top flight – joining Sean Dyche, Eddie Howe and Scott Parker – a number that lags behind the continent's remaining big five divisions in terms of national managers.

16 of the 20 first division coaches in Serie A are Italian, Eleven of the 20 are Spanish, Twelve in the Bundesliga in Germany and Ten of the 18 are French.

The present Blues interim boss Calum McFarlane said: "I have no doubt all young English managers from an academy background are, to some degree regardless of allegiance, supporting Liam.

"It is truly inspirational to up-and-coming British coaches in the system to see an individual land that job with that profile and we hope he will be highly successful."

It is vital to remember – he's there due to ability'

Leroy Rosenior, Rosenior Sr., played for the likes of West London clubs, the Hammers as well as Queens Park Rangers, and his managerial career culminating in a five-month spell at then-League One side Brentford FC back in 2006.

In 2019, he was awarded an MBE in the Honours List for services rendered in combating discrimination within the sport and wider society.

After Liam hung up his boots he followed his father's footsteps. He started penning a column for The Guardian, where in 2017 he addressed the under-representation of black coaches. He highlighted that race does not determine ability arguing that opportunities should be given based on qualification.

He further expressed a point he has often stated: that significant lack of diversity leads to a failure to understand of players with diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds.

During an interview for a football podcast, he explained how his leading forward, Emmanuel Emegha, was labelled "difficult" or "passionate", but said he understood the Netherlands international with Nigerian parentage. Emegha is set to join him in moving from Strasbourg to Chelsea in July.

In further Guardian columns, he also confessed he was "ashamed" to hear an unnamed staff member make a homophobic slur. He vowed support for the Premier League's inclusion campaign and authored a public message to Donald Trump during his first US presidency, accusing him of "overt" 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 time together at Derby County.

Rosenior said his farewells to his former club on Tuesday morning prior to putting pen to paper on a six‑and‑a‑half‑year deal with the Blues.

Chelsea boasted the top flight's pioneering black boss with Gullit and the first black skipper in Paul Elliott.

Elliott has since worked in multiple senior positions, among them the FA's diversity and inclusion board|