🔗 Share this article An Historic Milestone as Liam Rosenior Breaks Obstacles It represents a key moment which honors a young, black British manager.' "Liam Rosenior is a quality manager who understands the game back to front, which is what matters most. "But, in my role as the Blues' first black footballer, I would be lying if I said this moment doesn't move me." These were the sentiments of Paul Canoville, who earned his groundbreaking first appearance for the Blues' first team as a substitute in April 1982. On Tuesday, Chelsea appointed Strasbourg boss Rosenior, aged 41, as their next head coach after the exit of manager Enzo Maresca. The French club is within the Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital-owned ownership group which also controls the London club. There have been only twelve black head coaches – not including those holding interim positions – in England's top flight since its inception 34 in the past. "One thing that impresses me about Liam is that he was raised and played locally, he understands this community," added Canoville. "Whenever kids see a figure like Rosenior in charge of their club, a person they can identify with, from a similar background, from a family that champions what's right… it is powerful demonstrating that opportunities exist. "So yes, this represents a massive moment for the club, for London, for every aspiring individual with big dreams. "But right now? Let's back Liam, provide him with the necessary tools, and let the man get on with the job." What Do the Data Show? The iconic Dutchman Ruud Gullit became Chelsea head coach in 1996 thereby becoming the top flight's inaugural black manager. Twelve years later, in 2008, Paul Ince became the first black English boss in the Premier League after taking charge at Blackburn Rovers. West Ham boss Nuno Espirito Santo is the only other current top flight boss from a minority ethnic background. The lack of ethnic minority managers across the English game corresponds with a lack of diversity at executive level. According to a BFP 2023's report, 43% of Premier League footballers are from black backgrounds. Yet, analysis by Kick It Out found only 3.2 percent of board and senior leadership positions across 17 of 20 Premier League clubs are held by people from minority ethnic backgrounds. At senior coaching positions, according to data from eleven clubs, the figure is two percent. Across all coaching positions – including senior roles – from the same 11 clubs, the figure is just 5%. "He has undoubtedly broken barriers in terms of him being announced as a Chelsea manager, and as an organization, we hope to see more of that," said Kick It Out CEO Samuel Okafor. "We know there is a wealth of ability present within black and underrepresented communities... they want the opportunity to show their capabilities. It is imperative to persist in work hard to break those obstacles down." Additionally, the new appointee is set to become the fourth permanent English managers currently in the Premier League – joining Sean Dyche, Eddie Howe as well as Scott Parker – a number that trails Europe's other major leagues regarding homegrown representation. 16 out of twenty first division managers in Italy are Italian, Eleven in La Liga in Spain, 12 of the 18 are German and Ten of the 18 in France. Current Chelsea caretaker manager Calum McFarlane said: "I have no doubt every aspiring British coaches with a youth development pedigree will be, in some way no matter who you support, supporting Liam. "It's really motivating for up-and-coming British academy coaches to see someone land such a role with his background and we hope he does really well." Liam Rosenior becomes Chelsea's second-ever black coach following in the footsteps of Ruud Gullit. It is vital to remember – he's there due to ability' His father, Leroy, Rosenior Sr., had a career with clubs such as West London clubs, the Hammers and Queens Park Rangers, and his managerial career culminating in a five-month stint at the third-tier club Brentford FC in 2006. Two years ago, he received an MBE in the Honours List for his services to tackling inequality in football and beyond. When Rosenior Jr retired from playing he pursued his father's footsteps. He began writing articles for a national newspaper, and in one piece he acknowledged the lack of diversity of black coaches. He pointed out that ethnicity does not determine ability and said opportunities must be awarded based on qualification. He also made a point he would repeat: that significant under-representation leads to misunderstandings regarding footballers from different cultural and ethnic heritage. During an interview for a football podcast, he explained the way his leading forward, Emmanuel Emegha, had been described as "difficult" and "passionate", but said he understood the Netherlands player with Nigerian parentage. The striker is expected to follow him in moving from Strasbourg to West London in July. In subsequent Guardian columns, Rosenior also admitted to being "ashamed" upon hearing an unnamed staff member utter a homophobic slur. He vowed his support for the Premier League's inclusion initiative and authored a public message to Donald Trump while he was in office, condemning his "blatant" racism. He has subsequently built his reputation as a manager – 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 with Derby. The manager bid goodbye at Strasbourg earlier this week before signing a six‑and‑a‑half‑year contract with the Blues. The Blues had the top flight's pioneering black manager with Gullit and the first black captain named Paul Elliott. Elliott has since worked in multiple executive roles, including the FA's equality board|
It represents a key moment which honors a young, black British manager.' "Liam Rosenior is a quality manager who understands the game back to front, which is what matters most. "But, in my role as the Blues' first black footballer, I would be lying if I said this moment doesn't move me." These were the sentiments of Paul Canoville, who earned his groundbreaking first appearance for the Blues' first team as a substitute in April 1982. On Tuesday, Chelsea appointed Strasbourg boss Rosenior, aged 41, as their next head coach after the exit of manager Enzo Maresca. The French club is within the Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital-owned ownership group which also controls the London club. There have been only twelve black head coaches – not including those holding interim positions – in England's top flight since its inception 34 in the past. "One thing that impresses me about Liam is that he was raised and played locally, he understands this community," added Canoville. "Whenever kids see a figure like Rosenior in charge of their club, a person they can identify with, from a similar background, from a family that champions what's right… it is powerful demonstrating that opportunities exist. "So yes, this represents a massive moment for the club, for London, for every aspiring individual with big dreams. "But right now? Let's back Liam, provide him with the necessary tools, and let the man get on with the job." What Do the Data Show? The iconic Dutchman Ruud Gullit became Chelsea head coach in 1996 thereby becoming the top flight's inaugural black manager. Twelve years later, in 2008, Paul Ince became the first black English boss in the Premier League after taking charge at Blackburn Rovers. West Ham boss Nuno Espirito Santo is the only other current top flight boss from a minority ethnic background. The lack of ethnic minority managers across the English game corresponds with a lack of diversity at executive level. According to a BFP 2023's report, 43% of Premier League footballers are from black backgrounds. Yet, analysis by Kick It Out found only 3.2 percent of board and senior leadership positions across 17 of 20 Premier League clubs are held by people from minority ethnic backgrounds. At senior coaching positions, according to data from eleven clubs, the figure is two percent. Across all coaching positions – including senior roles – from the same 11 clubs, the figure is just 5%. "He has undoubtedly broken barriers in terms of him being announced as a Chelsea manager, and as an organization, we hope to see more of that," said Kick It Out CEO Samuel Okafor. "We know there is a wealth of ability present within black and underrepresented communities... they want the opportunity to show their capabilities. It is imperative to persist in work hard to break those obstacles down." Additionally, the new appointee is set to become the fourth permanent English managers currently in the Premier League – joining Sean Dyche, Eddie Howe as well as Scott Parker – a number that trails Europe's other major leagues regarding homegrown representation. 16 out of twenty first division managers in Italy are Italian, Eleven in La Liga in Spain, 12 of the 18 are German and Ten of the 18 in France. Current Chelsea caretaker manager Calum McFarlane said: "I have no doubt every aspiring British coaches with a youth development pedigree will be, in some way no matter who you support, supporting Liam. "It's really motivating for up-and-coming British academy coaches to see someone land such a role with his background and we hope he does really well." Liam Rosenior becomes Chelsea's second-ever black coach following in the footsteps of Ruud Gullit. It is vital to remember – he's there due to ability' His father, Leroy, Rosenior Sr., had a career with clubs such as West London clubs, the Hammers and Queens Park Rangers, and his managerial career culminating in a five-month stint at the third-tier club Brentford FC in 2006. Two years ago, he received an MBE in the Honours List for his services to tackling inequality in football and beyond. When Rosenior Jr retired from playing he pursued his father's footsteps. He began writing articles for a national newspaper, and in one piece he acknowledged the lack of diversity of black coaches. He pointed out that ethnicity does not determine ability and said opportunities must be awarded based on qualification. He also made a point he would repeat: that significant under-representation leads to misunderstandings regarding footballers from different cultural and ethnic heritage. During an interview for a football podcast, he explained the way his leading forward, Emmanuel Emegha, had been described as "difficult" and "passionate", but said he understood the Netherlands player with Nigerian parentage. The striker is expected to follow him in moving from Strasbourg to West London in July. In subsequent Guardian columns, Rosenior also admitted to being "ashamed" upon hearing an unnamed staff member utter a homophobic slur. He vowed his support for the Premier League's inclusion initiative and authored a public message to Donald Trump while he was in office, condemning his "blatant" racism. He has subsequently built his reputation as a manager – 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 with Derby. The manager bid goodbye at Strasbourg earlier this week before signing a six‑and‑a‑half‑year contract with the Blues. The Blues had the top flight's pioneering black manager with Gullit and the first black captain named Paul Elliott. Elliott has since worked in multiple executive roles, including the FA's equality board|