'It's a defining event that honors the rise of a black, young English gaffer.'
"Liam Rosenior is a top coach who knows the game intimately, which is the crucial factor.
"But, as Chelsea's pioneering African heritage player, I would be lying if I said this news does not affect me."
These were the words expressed by the former Chelsea winger, the man who earned his historic debut for Chelsea's senior side off the bench in April 1982.
On Tuesday, Chelsea hired RC Strasbourg boss Rosenior, aged 41, to be their new manager after the exit of manager Enzo Maresca.
The French club is part of the multi-club BlueCo that also controls the London club.
There have been a mere twelve of African or Caribbean heritage head coaches – excluding those in temporary caretaker roles – in England's top flight since its inception 34 in the past.
"What really strikes me about Liam is that he was raised and played not far from here, he knows this community," added Canoville.
"When youngsters observe someone like Liam managing their club, a person they can identify with, from a similar background, from a household that champions equality… it is impactful demonstrating that opportunities exist.
"So yes, it is a huge moment for the club, for the capital, for every aspiring individual dreaming big.
"However, currently? Let's back Liam, provide him with what he needs, and allow him to get on with the job."
The iconic Dutchman Ruud Gullit was appointed the Blues' manager in 1996 thereby becoming the top flight's inaugural black head coach.
A dozen years on, in 2008, Paul Ince became the first black English manager in the Premier League after taking charge at Blackburn Rovers.
The Hammers' boss Nuno Espirito Santo currently stands as the sole additional present top flight gaffer from a minority ethnic background.
The lack of managers of colour across English football is matched by a lack of diversity in the boardroom.
As per a Black Footballers Partnership 2023 report, 43% of top-flight footballers are from black backgrounds.
However, analysis by Kick It Out found only 3.2% of board and senior leadership management teams across 17 of 20 Premier League clubs are held by people from minority ethnic communities.
At senior coaching positions, according to figures provided by 11 clubs, the percentage is 2%.
Across all coaching roles – encompassing senior roles – from the same eleven clubs, the figure is just five percent.
"He's certainly broken barriers in terms of him being announced as a Chelsea head coach, and we hope to witness more such appointments," said the chief executive of Kick It Out Samuel Okafor.
"We know that there exists a wealth of talent present within black and underrepresented groups... they want the opportunity to demonstrate their capabilities. It is imperative to persist in striving to break those barriers down."
Furthermore, the new appointee will become the fourth full-time English managers currently managing in the top flight – alongside Sean Dyche, Eddie Howe and Scott Parker – which trails the continent's other major leagues regarding national representation.
16 out of twenty top-flight coaches in Italy are from Italy, 11 of the 20 are Spanish, Twelve in the Bundesliga are German while Ten of the 18 in France.
The present Chelsea interim boss Calum McFarlane commented: "I have no doubt every young English managers from an academy background are, in some way regardless of allegiance, rooting for Liam.
"It's really inspirational to young English coaches in the system to see someone land that job with his background and we hope he will be really well."
Liam Rosenior becomes Chelsea's second black manager following in the footsteps of Ruud Gullit.
Leroy Rosenior, Liam's father, played for clubs such as West London clubs, West Ham as well as Queens Park Rangers, and his managerial career peaked with a five-month stint at the third-tier club Brentford FC in 2006.
Two years ago, he received a Member of the Order of the British Empire in that year's Honours List for his services to tackling inequality within the sport and wider society.
After Liam hung up his boots he followed his father's footsteps. He started penning articles for The Guardian, where in 2017 he addressed the lack of diversity among managers. He highlighted that race does not influence ability arguing that opportunities must be awarded on merit.
He also made the view he has often stated: how vast lack of diversity results in a failure to understand regarding footballers with diverse cultural and ethnic heritage.
During an interview with The Athletic FC, Rosenior highlighted the way his star striker, Emmanuel Emegha, was labelled "difficult" and "passionate", but said he understood the Dutch player of Nigerian descent. Emegha is set to join him in moving from France to Chelsea this summer.
In subsequent Guardian columns, Rosenior also admitted to being "embarrassed" upon hearing an unnamed coach make a discriminatory remark. He pledged support for the Rainbow Laces initiative and authored a public message to Donald Trump during his first US presidency, accusing him of "blatant" prejudice.
Rosenior has since made his name in the dugout – initially with Hull City, later at Strasbourg – and Wayne Rooney said this week he was "as good a coach as I've ever worked with" following their collaboration at Derby County.
The manager bid goodbye at Strasbourg on Tuesday morning prior to putting pen to paper on a long-term contract with the Blues.
Chelsea had the top flight's first African heritage manager in Gullit as well as the first black skipper named Paul Elliott.
Elliott has since worked in several senior positions, among them the FA's equality board|
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