An Emotional Event when Liam Rosenior Shatters Obstacles

"Liam Rosenior is a top manager who knows the game back to front, and that's what matters most.

"However, as Chelsea's pioneering African heritage footballer, I would be lying if I said this news fails to move me."

Those are the sentiments of Paul Canoville, who earned his groundbreaking debut for the Blues' first team off the bench in the spring of 1982.

On Tuesday, the club named Strasbourg boss Rosenior, 41, as their new manager after the exit of manager Enzo Maresca.

The French club is part of the Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital-owned ownership group which also controls Chelsea.

There have been only 12 black managers – not including individuals holding interim roles – in the Premier League since it began 34 in the past.

"One thing that impresses me regarding Rosenior is he grew up and played locally, he understands this community," continued Canoville.

"Whenever kids see a figure like Rosenior managing their club, a person who looks like them, from a similar background, from a household that champions equality… that's powerful demonstrating that opportunities exist.

"Indeed, it is an enormous step for the club, for the capital, for all young person with big dreams.

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

What Exactly Do the Statistics Show?

Dutch legend Ruud Gullit became Chelsea head coach in 1996 thereby becoming the Premier League's first black manager.

A dozen years on, in 2008, Paul Ince became the pioneering English black manager in the top flight when he took over Blackburn Rovers.

West Ham manager Nuno Espirito Santo currently stands as the only other current Premier League boss from a minority ethnic background.

The lack of managers of colour throughout English football corresponds with an absence of diversity in the boardroom.

As per a BFP 2023's study, 43% of Premier League players come from African or Caribbean heritage.

However, analysis from the equality organization revealed just 3.2 percent of executive and leadership management teams across most Premier League clubs are held by people from minority ethnic backgrounds.

At first-team coaching positions, based on figures provided by eleven clubs, the percentage stands at 2%.

Across all coaching roles – encompassing senior roles – from the same eleven clubs, the figure is just five percent.

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

"We know there is loads of talent present within black and underrepresented communities... aspiring coaches desire the opportunity to demonstrate their capabilities. It is imperative to continue to striving to dismantle those barriers down."

Furthermore, Rosenior is set to become the fourth full-time British head coaches presently in the Premier League – alongside Sean Dyche, Eddie Howe and Scott Parker – which lags behind Europe's other big five divisions regarding national managers.

Sixteen of the 20 first division managers in Serie A are Italian, 11 in La Liga are Spanish, Twelve of the 18 in Germany while 10 in Ligue 1 are French.

The present Chelsea interim boss Calum McFarlane said: "I'm sure all young English managers from an academy background are, to some degree no matter who you support, rooting for Liam.

"It is really motivating for up-and-coming British coaches in the system to see someone land that job with his background and everyone hopes he will be really well."

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

His father, Leroy, Liam's father, had a career with clubs such as West London clubs, the Hammers and Queens Park Rangers, and his coaching stint culminating in a five-month stint in charge of then-League One side Brentford in 2006.

In 2019, he received an MBE in the 2019 New Year Honours for services rendered to tackling inequality in football and wider society.

When Rosenior Jr hung up his boots he pursued his father's footsteps. He started penning articles for a national newspaper, where in 2017 he addressed the under-representation among managers. He pointed out that race does not determine ability arguing that opportunities must be awarded on merit.

He also made a point he has often stated: how significant under-representation leads to misunderstandings regarding footballers with diverse ethnic and cultural heritage.

During an interview for a football podcast, Rosenior highlighted how his leading forward, Emmanuel Emegha, was labelled "difficult" or "emotional", but said he could relate to the Dutch player with Nigerian parentage. The striker is expected to join him in moving from France to Chelsea this summer.

In further Guardian columns, Rosenior also admitted he was "ashamed" upon hearing a staff member utter a homophobic slur. He vowed his support for the Premier League's inclusion initiative and authored a public message to the former US President while he was in office, accusing him of "overt" prejudice.

Rosenior has since built his reputation as a manager – initially with Hull City, later at Strasbourg – and Wayne Rooney said this week Rosenior was "among the best coaches I've ever worked with" after their time together with Derby.

The manager bid goodbye at Strasbourg earlier this week before signing a six‑and‑a‑half‑year deal with the Blues.

Chelsea boasted the Premier League's first African heritage manager with Gullit as well as the first black skipper in Paul Elliott.

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