A Moving Event when Rosenior Overcomes Obstacles

"He is a quality manager who understands football inside out, and that's the most important thing.

"But, in my role as the Blues' pioneering black footballer, it would be dishonest if I said this moment fails to move me."

These were the words expressed by Paul Canoville, who made his groundbreaking debut for the Blues' first team as a substitute in the spring of 1982.

This week, the club appointed RC Strasbourg boss Liam Rosenior, aged 41, as their new manager following the exit of Enzo Maresca.

The French club is within the Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital-owned ownership group which also owns the London club.

There have been just twelve of African or Caribbean heritage managers – excluding individuals holding interim roles – in the Premier League since its inception 34 in the past.

"What really strikes me about Liam is that he was raised and played locally, he knows this area," continued Canoville.

"When youngsters see a figure like Rosenior managing their club, a person they can identify with, from a similar background, who comes from a household that fights for equality… it is impactful demonstrating the path is there.

"Indeed, it is a huge moment for the club, for the capital, for every aspiring individual with big dreams.

"But right now? We must support Rosenior, give him what he needs, and allow him to do his work."

What Do the Data Indicate?

The iconic Dutchman Ruud Gullit became the Blues' head coach back in the nineties and became the Premier League's first black manager.

Twelve years later, in 2008, Paul Ince became the pioneering English black boss 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 shortage of managers of colour across English football is matched by a lack of representation at executive level.

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

Yet, analysis from Kick It Out revealed just 3.2 percent of executive and leadership positions at most Premier League clubs are held by people from minority ethnic backgrounds.

Regarding first-team coaching level, based on figures provided by eleven clubs, the percentage is 2%.

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

"He's certainly made history in terms of his appointment as the Chelsea manager, and we want to witness more such appointments," said the chief executive of Kick It Out Samuel Okafor.

"It is acknowledged there is a wealth of ability that exists in the black and underrepresented groups... they desire a chance to demonstrate their capabilities. We need to persist in striving to break those obstacles down."

Furthermore, the new appointee will become the fourth permanent English managers presently managing in the top flight – alongside Sean Dyche, Eddie Howe and Scott Parker – a number that trails Europe's other major divisions regarding national managers.

Sixteen out of twenty top-flight coaches in Italy are from Italy, 11 in La Liga in Spain, 12 in the Bundesliga in Germany and Ten of the 18 in France.

Current Chelsea interim boss Calum McFarlane said: "I'm sure every aspiring British managers from an academy background will be, in some way no matter who you support, rooting for Liam.

"It's really motivating for young English coaches in the system to witness someone land such a role with that profile and we hope he will be really well."

'Let's not forget – his appointment is based on talent'

His father, Leroy, Liam's father, had a career with clubs such as West London clubs, the Hammers and Queens Park Rangers, and his managerial career culminating in a brief spell in charge of then-League One side Brentford in 2006.

Two years ago, he was awarded an MBE in that year's Honours List for services rendered in combating discrimination in football and wider society.

When Rosenior Jr hung up his boots he followed a path in management. He began penning articles for a national newspaper, and in one piece he acknowledged the under-representation among managers. He pointed out that ethnicity does not determine ability arguing that opportunities should be given on merit.

He further expressed the view he would repeat: how significant lack of diversity results in a failure to understand regarding footballers from different cultural and ethnic heritage.

During an interview 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 with a move from France to West London this summer.

In subsequent Guardian columns, he also confessed to being "ashamed" upon hearing an unnamed coach utter a discriminatory remark. He pledged support for the Premier League's Rainbow Laces campaign and wrote a public message to Donald Trump while he was in office, accusing him of "overt" racism.

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

The manager bid goodbye at Strasbourg on Tuesday morning prior to putting pen to paper on a long-term deal with the Blues.

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

Elliott later held multiple senior positions, among them the FA's diversity and inclusion board|