🔗 Share this article An Emotional Occasion as Rosenior Transcends Obstacles This is a defining event which recognizes the rise of a young, black English manager.' "Liam Rosenior is an excellent manager who understands football inside out, which is what matters most. "However, as the Blues' first African heritage player, it would be dishonest to claim this appointment fails to move me." These were the sentiments of the former Chelsea winger, the man who made his historic first appearance for Chelsea's senior side off the bench in April 1982. This week, Chelsea appointed Strasbourg manager Rosenior, aged 41, to be their next head coach following the exit of manager Enzo Maresca. Strasbourg are within the Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital-owned ownership group which also controls the London club. Statistics show a mere 12 of African or Caribbean heritage managers – not including those in interim positions – in England's top flight since it began 34 in the past. "What really strikes me about Liam is he was raised and developed his game not far from here, he knows this area," added Canoville. "When children observe someone like Liam managing the team they support, someone they can identify with, from a similar background, who comes from a family that champions 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 young person dreaming big. "But right now? Let's back Liam, provide him with the necessary tools, and let the man get on with the job." What Exactly Do the Numbers Reveal? Dutch legend Ruud Gullit became Chelsea manager in 1996 and became the Premier League's inaugural black head coach. Twelve years later, in 2008, Paul Ince became the first English black boss in the Premier League when he took over Blackburn Rovers. West Ham boss Nuno Espirito Santo currently stands as the sole additional present Premier League boss from a minority ethnic background. The lack of managers of colour across the English game is matched by a lack of diversity at executive level. As per the Black Footballers Partnership 2023 report, 43% of Premier League players are from African or Caribbean heritage. Yet, research by the equality organization revealed just 3.2 percent of board and senior leadership management teams across most Premier League clubs are held by people from ethnically diverse backgrounds. Regarding senior coaching positions, based on figures from 11 clubs, the figure is 2%. Across all coaching positions – including senior roles – from those same eleven clubs, the statistic is just 5%. "He's certainly broken barriers in terms of him being announced as a Chelsea head coach, and as an organization, we hope to see more of that," stated the chief executive of Kick It Out Samuel Okafor. "It is acknowledged that there exists loads of talent that exists within ethnic minority communities... they desire a chance to show their capabilities. It is imperative to continue to striving to break those obstacles down." Furthermore, Rosenior is set to become the fourth permanent English managers presently managing in the top flight – joining Sean Dyche, Eddie Howe as well as Scott Parker – a number that lags behind Europe's remaining major leagues in terms of national managers. 16 out of twenty first division managers in Serie A are from Italy, Eleven of the 20 in Spain, Twelve of the 18 in Germany and 10 of the 18 are French. Current Chelsea interim boss Calum McFarlane commented: "I'm sure all aspiring British coaches from an academy background will be, to some degree no matter who you support, supporting Liam. "It's really motivating for up-and-coming British coaches in the system to witness an individual land such a role with that profile and everyone hopes he will be highly successful." Rosenior is now the London club's second-ever black coach after Ruud Gullit. 'Let's not forget – he's there on merit' His father, Leroy, Liam's father, played for the likes of Fulham, West Ham as well as Queens Park Rangers, with his managerial career peaked with a brief spell at the third-tier club Brentford back in 2006. Two years ago, he received a Member of the Order of the British Empire in the 2019 New Year Honours for his services to tackling inequality within the sport and beyond. After Liam retired from playing he followed his father's footsteps. He began penning articles for The Guardian, where in 2017 he acknowledged the lack of diversity among managers. He highlighted that ethnicity does not determine coaching skill and said opportunities must be awarded on merit. He further expressed a point he has often stated: that vast under-representation leads to misunderstandings regarding footballers from different ethnic and cultural backgrounds. In a podcast for a football podcast, Rosenior highlighted how his star striker, Emmanuel Emegha, was labelled "difficult" and "passionate", noting that he could relate to the Dutch international with Nigerian parentage. The striker is expected to follow him with a move from France to Chelsea this summer. In subsequent newspaper articles, he also confessed to being "embarrassed" to hear an unnamed coach utter a discriminatory remark. He pledged his support for the Rainbow Laces campaign and wrote a public message to Donald Trump during his first US presidency, condemning his "overt" prejudice. He has subsequently made his name as a manager – initially with Hull City, later at Strasbourg – and Wayne Rooney recently stating Rosenior was "among the best coaches I've ever worked with" following their collaboration with Derby. Rosenior said his farewells to his former club earlier this week prior to putting pen to paper on a six‑and‑a‑half‑year contract at Chelsea. The Blues had the Premier League's pioneering African heritage manager with Gullit and the first black captain in Paul Elliott. Elliott later worked in multiple executive roles, including the FA's equality board|
This is a defining event which recognizes the rise of a young, black English manager.' "Liam Rosenior is an excellent manager who understands football inside out, which is what matters most. "However, as the Blues' first African heritage player, it would be dishonest to claim this appointment fails to move me." These were the sentiments of the former Chelsea winger, the man who made his historic first appearance for Chelsea's senior side off the bench in April 1982. This week, Chelsea appointed Strasbourg manager Rosenior, aged 41, to be their next head coach following the exit of manager Enzo Maresca. Strasbourg are within the Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital-owned ownership group which also controls the London club. Statistics show a mere 12 of African or Caribbean heritage managers – not including those in interim positions – in England's top flight since it began 34 in the past. "What really strikes me about Liam is he was raised and developed his game not far from here, he knows this area," added Canoville. "When children observe someone like Liam managing the team they support, someone they can identify with, from a similar background, who comes from a family that champions 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 young person dreaming big. "But right now? Let's back Liam, provide him with the necessary tools, and let the man get on with the job." What Exactly Do the Numbers Reveal? Dutch legend Ruud Gullit became Chelsea manager in 1996 and became the Premier League's inaugural black head coach. Twelve years later, in 2008, Paul Ince became the first English black boss in the Premier League when he took over Blackburn Rovers. West Ham boss Nuno Espirito Santo currently stands as the sole additional present Premier League boss from a minority ethnic background. The lack of managers of colour across the English game is matched by a lack of diversity at executive level. As per the Black Footballers Partnership 2023 report, 43% of Premier League players are from African or Caribbean heritage. Yet, research by the equality organization revealed just 3.2 percent of board and senior leadership management teams across most Premier League clubs are held by people from ethnically diverse backgrounds. Regarding senior coaching positions, based on figures from 11 clubs, the figure is 2%. Across all coaching positions – including senior roles – from those same eleven clubs, the statistic is just 5%. "He's certainly broken barriers in terms of him being announced as a Chelsea head coach, and as an organization, we hope to see more of that," stated the chief executive of Kick It Out Samuel Okafor. "It is acknowledged that there exists loads of talent that exists within ethnic minority communities... they desire a chance to show their capabilities. It is imperative to continue to striving to break those obstacles down." Furthermore, Rosenior is set to become the fourth permanent English managers presently managing in the top flight – joining Sean Dyche, Eddie Howe as well as Scott Parker – a number that lags behind Europe's remaining major leagues in terms of national managers. 16 out of twenty first division managers in Serie A are from Italy, Eleven of the 20 in Spain, Twelve of the 18 in Germany and 10 of the 18 are French. Current Chelsea interim boss Calum McFarlane commented: "I'm sure all aspiring British coaches from an academy background will be, to some degree no matter who you support, supporting Liam. "It's really motivating for up-and-coming British coaches in the system to witness an individual land such a role with that profile and everyone hopes he will be highly successful." Rosenior is now the London club's second-ever black coach after Ruud Gullit. 'Let's not forget – he's there on merit' His father, Leroy, Liam's father, played for the likes of Fulham, West Ham as well as Queens Park Rangers, with his managerial career peaked with a brief spell at the third-tier club Brentford back in 2006. Two years ago, he received a Member of the Order of the British Empire in the 2019 New Year Honours for his services to tackling inequality within the sport and beyond. After Liam retired from playing he followed his father's footsteps. He began penning articles for The Guardian, where in 2017 he acknowledged the lack of diversity among managers. He highlighted that ethnicity does not determine coaching skill and said opportunities must be awarded on merit. He further expressed a point he has often stated: that vast under-representation leads to misunderstandings regarding footballers from different ethnic and cultural backgrounds. In a podcast for a football podcast, Rosenior highlighted how his star striker, Emmanuel Emegha, was labelled "difficult" and "passionate", noting that he could relate to the Dutch international with Nigerian parentage. The striker is expected to follow him with a move from France to Chelsea this summer. In subsequent newspaper articles, he also confessed to being "embarrassed" to hear an unnamed coach utter a discriminatory remark. He pledged his support for the Rainbow Laces campaign and wrote a public message to Donald Trump during his first US presidency, condemning his "overt" prejudice. He has subsequently made his name as a manager – initially with Hull City, later at Strasbourg – and Wayne Rooney recently stating Rosenior was "among the best coaches I've ever worked with" following their collaboration with Derby. Rosenior said his farewells to his former club earlier this week prior to putting pen to paper on a six‑and‑a‑half‑year contract at Chelsea. The Blues had the Premier League's pioneering African heritage manager with Gullit and the first black captain in Paul Elliott. Elliott later worked in multiple executive roles, including the FA's equality board|