A Significant Milestone when Rosenior Shatters Boundaries
'It's a defining moment which celebrates the rise of a black, young English gaffer.'
"He is a top manager that knows football back to front, which is the crucial factor.
"But, as Chelsea's pioneering African heritage footballer, it would be dishonest if I said this news doesn't move me."
These were the words expressed by Paul Canoville, who made his historic debut for the Blues' first team off the bench in the spring of 1982.
On Tuesday, Chelsea named Strasbourg manager Rosenior, 41, as their next manager following the departure of Enzo Maresca.
The French club is part of a Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital-owned BlueCo which also owns the London club.
There have been only twelve of African or Caribbean heritage head coaches – not including individuals in temporary caretaker positions – in the Premier League since it began thirty-four years ago.
"What really strikes me regarding Rosenior is he was raised and played not far from here, he knows this area," continued Canoville.
"Whenever kids observe a figure like Rosenior in charge of the team they support, someone they can identify with, from a similar background, from a family that fights for what's right… it is profound and shows them the path is there.
"So yes, this represents a massive step for the club, for London, for all aspiring individual with big dreams.
"But right now? Let's back Liam, provide him with the necessary tools, and let the man do his work."
What Do the Numbers Indicate?
Dutch legend Ruud Gullit became Chelsea manager in 1996 and became the Premier League's first black head coach.
Twelve years later, by 2008, Paul Ince became the first black English manager in the Premier League when he took over Blackburn Rovers.
The Hammers' manager Nuno Espirito Santo is the only other present Premier League boss from a minority ethnic background.
The lack of ethnic minority managers across the English game is matched by a lack of diversity at executive level.
As per the BFP 2023 study, 43% of Premier League footballers come from black backgrounds.
Yet, analysis from Kick It Out revealed only 3.2 percent of board and senior leadership management teams at most Premier League clubs are from minority ethnic communities.
Regarding senior coaching level, based on data from eleven clubs, the figure stands at two percent.
Across all coaching roles – encompassing head coaches – from the same 11 clubs, the figure is five percent.
"He has undoubtedly broken barriers by virtue of him being announced as a the Chelsea head coach, and as an organization, we want to witness more such appointments," said Kick It Out CEO Samuel Okafor.
"It is acknowledged that there exists a wealth of talent that exists within ethnic minority groups... they want a chance to demonstrate what they can do. We need to continue to work hard to dismantle those barriers down."
Additionally, Rosenior will become the fourth permanent British managers currently managing in the top flight – joining Sean Dyche, Eddie Howe and Scott Parker – which trails Europe's other big five leagues regarding national representation.
16 of the 20 top-flight managers in Serie A are from Italy, 11 in La Liga are Spanish, Twelve in the Bundesliga are German and Ten of the 18 in France.
Current Chelsea caretaker manager Calum McFarlane said: "I have no doubt all young English coaches with a youth development pedigree are, in some way no matter who you support, supporting Liam.
"It is really inspirational for up-and-coming British academy coaches to witness an individual get such a role with his background and we hope he does really well."
Liam Rosenior becomes the London club's second black manager following in the footsteps of Ruud Gullit.
'Let's not forget – he's there due to ability'
Leroy Rosenior, Rosenior Sr., played for clubs such as West London clubs, West Ham and Queens Park Rangers, with his coaching stint culminating in a brief spell at then-League One side Brentford FC back in 2006.
In 2019, he received an MBE in the 2019 New Year Honours 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 writing articles for The Guardian, where in 2017 he addressed the lack of diversity among managers. He pointed out that ethnicity does not influence ability and said opportunities should be given on merit.
He also made the view he would repeat: that significant lack of diversity leads to a failure to understand regarding footballers from different ethnic and cultural backgrounds.
In a podcast for a football podcast, Rosenior highlighted the way his star striker, Emmanuel Emegha, had been described as "hard to manage" or "emotional", but said he could relate to the Dutch international of Nigerian descent. Emegha is set to join him in moving from Strasbourg to Chelsea this summer.
In subsequent newspaper articles, he also confessed to being "embarrassed" upon hearing a staff member make a homophobic slur. He pledged his support for the Rainbow Laces campaign and authored a public message to the former US President while he was in office, condemning his "blatant" racism.
He has subsequently built his reputation in the dugout – initially with Hull City, later at Strasbourg – and Wayne Rooney said this week he was "among the best coaches I've ever worked with" after their time together at Derby County.
Rosenior said goodbye at Strasbourg on Tuesday morning prior to putting pen to paper on a long-term deal at Chelsea.
Chelsea had the top flight's pioneering African heritage boss in Gullit as well as the first black captain in Paul Elliott.
Elliott has since held several executive roles, including the Football Association's equality board|
