An Historic Milestone when Rosenior Overcomes Barriers

"He is an excellent tactician who knows the game back to front, and that's the most important thing.

"But, in my role as Chelsea's first black footballer, it would be dishonest if I said this news doesn't move me."

These were the words of Paul Canoville, who made his historic debut for Chelsea's senior side as a substitute in April 1982.

On Tuesday, Chelsea appointed Strasbourg boss Rosenior, aged 41, to be their next head coach following the departure of manager Enzo Maresca.

Strasbourg are within the multi-club BlueCo which also owns Chelsea.

There have been just twelve of African or Caribbean heritage managers – excluding individuals in temporary caretaker roles – in England's top flight since it began 34 in the past.

"One thing that impresses me about Liam is he grew up and played not far from here, he knows this area," continued Canoville.

"When kids observe someone like Liam in charge of their club, a person who looks like them, who's from their ends, who comes from a household that champions equality… it is profound and shows them that opportunities exist.

"So yes, this represents a huge moment for Chelsea, for London, for every aspiring individual with big dreams.

"However, currently? We must support Rosenior, provide him with the necessary tools, and allow him to do his work."

What Do the Statistics Show?

The iconic Dutchman Ruud Gullit became the Blues' head coach in 1996 and became the Premier League's inaugural black head coach.

A dozen years on, by 2008, Paul Ince became the pioneering black English manager in the Premier League after taking charge at Blackburn Rovers.

West Ham manager Nuno Espirito Santo is the only other current top flight gaffer of colour.

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

According to the BFP 2023's report, forty-three percent of Premier League players are from African or Caribbean heritage.

However, analysis by Kick It Out found just 3.2% of executive and leadership positions at most Premier League clubs are held by people from ethnically diverse backgrounds.

Regarding senior coaching level, according to figures from 11 clubs, the figure is two percent.

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

"He's certainly broken barriers by virtue of his appointment as the Chelsea manager, and as an organization, we hope to see more of that," stated the chief executive of Kick It Out Samuel Okafor.

"It is acknowledged that there exists loads of ability present in the 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, Rosenior is set to become one of only four full-time British head coaches presently managing in the top flight – alongside Sean Dyche, Eddie Howe as well as Scott Parker – which trails the continent's remaining major leagues in terms of national managers.

Sixteen out of twenty first division managers in Serie A are from Italy, Eleven of the 20 are Spanish, 12 in the Bundesliga are German and Ten of the 18 in France.

Current Blues caretaker manager Calum McFarlane said: "I'm sure every aspiring British managers from an academy background are, to some degree no matter who you support, rooting for Liam.

"It's truly motivating to up-and-coming British coaches in the system to see an individual get such a role with that profile and we hope he will be highly successful."

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

Leroy Rosenior, Rosenior Sr., played for the likes of West London clubs, West Ham as well as Queens Park Rangers, with his coaching stint culminating in a brief stint at then-League One side Brentford FC in 2006.

Two years ago, he received an MBE in the 2019 New Year Honours for his services to tackling inequality within the sport and beyond.

When Rosenior Jr retired from playing he pursued a path in management. He started penning a column for a national newspaper, where in 2017 he addressed the lack of diversity of black coaches. He highlighted that race does not influence coaching skill and said roles should be given based on qualification.

He also made the view he would repeat: how vast lack of diversity leads to misunderstandings regarding footballers from different ethnic and cultural heritage.

In a podcast for a football podcast, Rosenior highlighted the way his leading forward, Emmanuel Emegha, was labelled "difficult" or "emotional", but said he understood the Dutch international of Nigerian descent. Emegha is set to join him with a move from France to Chelsea this summer.

In further Guardian columns, Rosenior also admitted to being "ashamed" to hear a staff member utter a homophobic slur. He vowed his support for the Premier League's inclusion campaign and authored an open letter to the former US President while he was in office, accusing him of "blatant" racism.

Rosenior has since made his name as a manager – initially with Hull City, then Strasbourg – with Wayne Rooney said this week he was "as good a coach as I've ever worked with" after their collaboration with Derby.

The manager bid goodbye to his former club earlier this week prior to putting pen to paper on a long-term deal with the Blues.

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

Elliott has since held several senior positions, among them the FA's equality board|