A Significant Event when Liam Rosenior Breaks Boundaries

"He is an excellent tactician that understands the game back to front, which is the crucial factor.

"But, as Chelsea's first black footballer, it would be dishonest if I said this appointment fails to move me."

These were the sentiments expressed by the former Chelsea winger, the man who earned his historic debut for Chelsea's senior side as a substitute in April 1982.

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

Strasbourg are part of a multi-club ownership group which also owns Chelsea.

Statistics show a mere twelve black managers – excluding individuals in temporary caretaker positions – in England's top flight since it began 34 years ago.

"One thing that impresses me regarding Rosenior is that he was raised and played not far from here, he knows this community," continued Canoville.

"Whenever children observe a figure like Rosenior managing the team they support, a person they can identify with, who's from their ends, who comes from a family that fights for what's right… that's impactful and shows them the path is there.

"So yes, it is a massive step for Chelsea, for the capital, for all aspiring individual dreaming big.

"However, currently? We must support Rosenior, provide him with what he needs, and allow him to get on with the job."

What Do the Statistics Indicate?

Dutch legend Ruud Gullit became the Blues' head coach in 1996 and became the top flight's inaugural African heritage head coach.

Twelve years later, by 2008, Paul Ince was appointed as the pioneering black English boss in the top flight after taking charge at Blackburn Rovers.

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

The lack of ethnic minority managers throughout the English game is matched by an absence of representation in the boardroom.

According to the BFP 2023 report, 43% of top-flight footballers are from African or Caribbean heritage.

However, research from Kick It Out found just 3.2% of board and senior leadership positions across most Premier League clubs are held by people from ethnically diverse communities.

At senior coaching positions, according to figures from 11 clubs, the figure is 2%.

For all coaching positions – including senior roles – from the same 11 clubs, the statistic is five percent.

"He's certainly made history by virtue of his appointment as a Chelsea manager, and as an organization, we want to witness more such appointments," said Kick It Out CEO Samuel Okafor.

"It is acknowledged there is loads of ability present within black and underrepresented groups... aspiring coaches want a chance to show their capabilities. We need to continue to striving to break those barriers once and for all."

Furthermore, the new appointee is set to become the fourth full-time English head coaches presently managing in the top flight – alongside Sean Dyche, Eddie Howe as well as Scott Parker – a number that trails the continent's remaining major divisions in terms of national managers.

Sixteen of the 20 top-flight coaches in Serie A are Italian, 11 in La Liga are Spanish, Twelve of the 18 in Germany while 10 in Ligue 1 in France.

Current Chelsea caretaker manager Calum McFarlane said: "I have no doubt every aspiring British coaches from an academy background will be, to some degree regardless of allegiance, supporting Liam.

"It's really inspirational for up-and-coming British academy coaches to witness an individual get that job with that profile and we hope he will be really well."

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

His father, Leroy, Rosenior Sr., 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 brief stint in charge of the third-tier club Brentford 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 wider society.

After Liam retired from playing he followed his father's footsteps. He started writing articles for a national newspaper, and in one piece he addressed the lack of diversity of black coaches. He highlighted that ethnicity does not influence ability arguing that roles should be given based on qualification.

He also made the view he has often stated: that vast under-representation results in misunderstandings regarding footballers from different cultural and ethnic backgrounds.

In a podcast with The Athletic FC, he explained how his star striker, Emmanuel Emegha, had been described as "hard to manage" 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 subsequent Guardian columns, Rosenior also admitted to being "ashamed" upon hearing a staff member make a discriminatory remark. He vowed support for the Rainbow Laces campaign and wrote a public message to the former US President while he was in office, accusing him of "blatant" prejudice.

Rosenior has since built his reputation in the dugout – first at Hull City, then Strasbourg – and Wayne Rooney recently stating he was "among the best coaches I've ever worked with" following their time together at Derby County.

The manager bid his farewells 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 boasted the top flight's first black boss with Gullit and the first black captain named Paul Elliott.

Elliott later held several senior positions, including the FA's equality board|