An Powerful Occasion as Liam Rosenior Overcomes Obstacles

"Liam Rosenior is a top coach that knows the game inside out, and that's what matters most.

"But, as the Blues' first black player, it would be dishonest to claim this news does not affect me."

These were the words expressed by the former Chelsea winger, who made his historic first appearance for the Blues' first team off the bench back in the spring of 1982.

On Tuesday, Chelsea named Strasbourg boss Liam Rosenior, aged 41, to be their new manager following the departure of manager Enzo Maresca.

The French club is part of the Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital-owned BlueCo that also owns Chelsea.

Statistics show just twelve black managers – excluding individuals in temporary caretaker positions – in the Premier League since its inception thirty-four years ago.

"One thing that impresses me regarding Rosenior is he grew up and played not far from here, he knows this community," added Canoville.

"When children observe a figure like Rosenior managing their club, someone who looks like them, from a similar background, from a family that champions what's right… that's profound demonstrating the path is there.

"So yes, it is a huge moment for Chelsea, for the capital, for all aspiring individual with big dreams.

"But right now? Let's back Liam, provide him with the necessary tools, and let the man get on with the job."

What Does the Data Show?

Dutch legend Ruud Gullit was appointed the Blues' head coach back in the nineties thereby becoming the top flight's first black manager.

A dozen years on, in 2008, Paul Ince was appointed as the first English black manager in the Premier League when he took over Blackburn Rovers.

West Ham manager Nuno Espirito Santo currently stands as the only other current Premier League gaffer of colour.

The scarcity of ethnic minority managers across the English game is matched by a lack of representation at executive level.

As per the BFP 2023's report, 43% of Premier League footballers are from African or Caribbean backgrounds.

However, analysis from the equality organization found only 3.2% of executive and leadership positions at 17 of 20 Premier League clubs are held by people from minority ethnic communities.

At senior coaching positions, based on data from 11 clubs, the percentage is 2%.

For all coaching roles – including senior roles – from those same eleven clubs, the statistic is just 5%.

"He has undoubtedly made history by virtue of his appointment as Chelsea manager, and as an organization, we hope to witness more such appointments," said Kick It Out CEO Samuel Okafor.

"It is acknowledged that there exists a wealth of ability present within black and underrepresented groups... they want a chance to show their capabilities. It is imperative to continue to work hard to break those obstacles once and for all."

Additionally, Rosenior will become the fourth permanent English head coaches presently in the Premier League – alongside Sean Dyche, Eddie Howe and Scott Parker – which lags behind the continent's other big five leagues regarding homegrown managers.

16 of the 20 first division coaches in Italy are from Italy, Eleven of the 20 are Spanish, 12 of the 18 are German and 10 of the 18 in France.

The present Chelsea interim boss Calum McFarlane commented: "I have no doubt all young English managers from an academy background are, in some way no matter who you support, rooting for Liam.

"It is really motivating for up-and-coming British coaches in the system to see an individual get that job with his background and we hope he does highly successful."

'Let's not forget – his appointment is on merit'

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

In 2019, he received an MBE in that year's 2019 New Year Honours for his services to tackling inequality in football and wider society.

When Rosenior Jr hung up his boots he followed a path in management. He began writing a column for The Guardian, where in 2017 he addressed the lack of diversity among managers. He highlighted that ethnicity does not determine coaching skill arguing that opportunities must be awarded on merit.

He further expressed the view he would repeat: how vast under-representation leads to a failure to understand regarding footballers with diverse cultural and ethnic heritage.

In a podcast with The Athletic FC, Rosenior highlighted the way his star striker, Emmanuel Emegha, had been described as "difficult" or "emotional", noting that he understood the Netherlands international of Nigerian descent. The striker is expected to join him with a move from Strasbourg to Chelsea in July.

In further newspaper articles, he also confessed to being "embarrassed" upon hearing a coach make a homophobic slur. He vowed his support for the Premier League's Rainbow Laces campaign and wrote an open letter to the former US President during his first US presidency, accusing him of "overt" prejudice.

He has subsequently built his reputation as a manager – first at Hull City, then Strasbourg – with Wayne Rooney recently stating Rosenior was "as good a coach as I've ever worked with" following their time together at Derby County.

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

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

Elliott has since worked in several executive roles, among them the FA's diversity and inclusion board|