An Emotional Occasion as Rosenior Shatters Obstacles

"He is a top manager that understands the game back to front, which is the most important thing.

"But, as the Blues' pioneering black player, I would be lying to claim this moment does not affect me."

These were the words expressed by the former Chelsea winger, the man who made his groundbreaking first appearance for Chelsea's senior side off the bench back in April 1982.

This week, the club appointed RC Strasbourg manager Rosenior, aged 41, as their new manager after the departure of Enzo Maresca.

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

There have been only twelve of African or Caribbean heritage managers – excluding those in temporary caretaker roles – in England's top flight since its inception thirty-four in the past.

"One thing that impresses me about Liam is that he grew up and developed his game locally, he knows the local fans," added Canoville.

"Whenever kids see a figure like Rosenior in charge of their club, someone who looks like them, who's from their ends, who comes from a family that fights for what's right… it is profound demonstrating that opportunities exist.

"So yes, this represents a massive moment for Chelsea, for the capital, for every aspiring individual with big dreams.

"However, currently? Let's back Liam, provide him with the necessary tools, and let the man do his work."

What Does the Numbers Show?

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

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

West Ham boss Nuno Espirito Santo currently stands as the sole additional current Premier League gaffer of colour.

The shortage of ethnic minority managers throughout English football corresponds with a lack of diversity in the boardroom.

According to the BFP 2023 study, 43% of Premier League players are from African or Caribbean backgrounds.

Yet, analysis from the equality organization revealed just 3.2 percent of executive and leadership management teams across 17 of 20 Premier League clubs are held by people from ethnically diverse backgrounds.

Regarding first-team coaching level, based on figures from eleven clubs, the percentage is two percent.

Across all coaching positions – encompassing senior roles – from those same eleven clubs, the statistic is just 5%.

"He's certainly made history by virtue of him being announced as a Chelsea manager, and as an organization, we hope to see more of that," said Kick It Out CEO Samuel Okafor.

"We know that there exists loads of talent that exists in the black and underrepresented communities... aspiring coaches desire the opportunity to show what they can do. We need to persist in striving to break those obstacles down."

Additionally, Rosenior is set to become one of only four full-time English managers presently managing in the top flight – alongside Sean Dyche, Eddie Howe and Scott Parker – which trails Europe's remaining major leagues regarding national managers.

Sixteen out of twenty top-flight coaches in Serie A are Italian, 11 in La Liga in Spain, 12 of the 18 in Germany and Ten of the 18 in France.

The present Blues interim boss Calum McFarlane commented: "I have no doubt every young English coaches from an academy background are, in some way regardless of allegiance, supporting Liam.

"It's really motivating to up-and-coming British coaches in the system to see someone land that job with his background and everyone hopes he does really well."

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

His father, Leroy, Liam's father, had a career with clubs such as West London clubs, West Ham and Queens Park Rangers, with his coaching stint peaked with a brief stint at then-League One side Brentford FC back in 2006.

Two years ago, he was awarded a Member of the Order of the British Empire in the 2019 New Year Honours for services rendered to tackling discrimination within the sport and wider society.

When Rosenior Jr hung up his boots he followed a path in management. He started penning articles for The Guardian, where in 2017 he addressed the under-representation among managers. He highlighted that ethnicity does not influence coaching skill and said opportunities should be given on merit.

He further expressed a point he would repeat: how vast lack of diversity results in a failure to understand regarding footballers with diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds.

In a podcast with The Athletic FC, Rosenior highlighted how his leading forward, Emmanuel Emegha, was labelled "difficult" and "passionate", but said he could relate to the Netherlands player with Nigerian parentage. The striker is expected to join him in moving from France to Chelsea in July.

In further newspaper articles, Rosenior also admitted to being "ashamed" upon hearing a staff member make a discriminatory remark. He vowed support for the inclusion initiative and wrote an open letter to the former US President while he was in office, condemning his "overt" racism.

He has subsequently built his reputation in the dugout – initially with Hull City, then Strasbourg – and Wayne Rooney said this week he was "as good a coach as I've ever worked with" after their collaboration with Derby.

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

The Blues had the Premier League's pioneering African heritage boss in Gullit as well as the first black captain named Paul Elliott.

Elliott has since held several executive roles, including the Football Association's equality board|