An Emotional Event when Liam Rosenior Breaks Boundaries

"He is a top manager that understands the game back to front, which is the crucial factor.

"But, in my role as the Blues' pioneering African heritage footballer, I would be lying to claim this appointment does not affect me."

These were the words of Paul Canoville, who earned his historic debut for Chelsea's senior side off the bench back in the spring of 1982.

This week, Chelsea appointed Strasbourg manager Liam Rosenior, aged 41, as their new manager after the exit of manager Enzo Maresca.

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

There have been a mere 12 of African or Caribbean heritage head coaches – not including those holding temporary caretaker roles – in England's top flight since it began 34 years ago.

"One thing that impresses me regarding Rosenior is that he was raised and developed his game not far from here, he understands the local fans," added Canoville.

"When kids see a figure like Rosenior managing the team they support, a person who looks like them, who's from their ends, from a household that champions what's right… that's powerful demonstrating the path is there.

"Indeed, it is a massive step for the club, for London, for all young person dreaming big.

"However, currently? We must support Rosenior, give him what he needs, and allow him to do his work."

What Do the Numbers Indicate?

Dutch legend Ruud Gullit became Chelsea manager back in the nineties thereby becoming the top flight's inaugural African heritage head coach.

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

West Ham manager Nuno Espirito Santo is the sole additional present top flight boss from a minority ethnic background.

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

According to a Black Footballers Partnership 2023's report, 43% of top-flight players are from black heritage.

Yet, research from the equality organization revealed just 3.2% of board and senior leadership positions at 17 of 20 Premier League clubs are held by people from minority ethnic backgrounds.

Regarding first-team coaching positions, according to data from 11 clubs, the percentage stands at two percent.

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

"He has undoubtedly broken barriers by virtue of his appointment as Chelsea head coach, and as an organization, we hope to see more of that," said the chief executive of Kick It Out Samuel Okafor.

"It is acknowledged there is a wealth of talent that exists within black and underrepresented communities... aspiring coaches desire the opportunity to show what they can do. We need to continue to work hard to break those barriers down."

Furthermore, the new appointee will become one of only four full-time British managers presently managing in the top flight – alongside Sean Dyche, Eddie Howe as well as Scott Parker – a number that lags behind the continent's remaining big five divisions in terms of homegrown managers.

Sixteen out of twenty top-flight managers in Italy are from Italy, 11 in La Liga are Spanish, 12 of the 18 are German while 10 in Ligue 1 are French.

Current Chelsea caretaker manager Calum McFarlane said: "I have no doubt every young English managers from an academy background will be, to some degree regardless of allegiance, rooting for Liam.

"It's truly motivating for up-and-coming British academy coaches to witness an individual land that job with his background and everyone hopes he will be highly successful."

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

His father, Leroy, Liam's father, had a career with the likes of West London clubs, West Ham as well as Queens Park Rangers, and his coaching stint culminating in a five-month 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 that year's 2019 New Year Honours for his services to tackling inequality in football and beyond.

When Rosenior Jr hung up his boots he pursued a path in management. He started writing articles for The Guardian, and in one piece 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 further expressed a point he has often stated: how vast lack of diversity leads to misunderstandings regarding footballers from different ethnic and cultural backgrounds.

In a podcast with The Athletic FC, he explained how his star striker, Emmanuel Emegha, was labelled "hard to manage" or "emotional", noting that he understood the Netherlands international of Nigerian descent. The striker is expected to join him in moving from France to West London this summer.

In subsequent Guardian columns, Rosenior also admitted to being "embarrassed" to hear a coach utter a homophobic slur. He pledged support for the inclusion initiative and wrote a public message to the former US President while he was in office, condemning his "blatant" prejudice.

Rosenior has since made his name as a manager – first at Hull City, later at Strasbourg – with Wayne Rooney recently stating he was "among the best coaches I've ever worked with" after their time together with Derby.

The manager bid goodbye to his former club on Tuesday morning prior to putting pen to paper on a long-term deal at Chelsea.

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

Elliott has since worked in several executive roles, among them the Football Association's equality board|