Liam Rosenior’s appointment as Enzo Maresca’s successor at Chelsea will give aspiring young black coaches “hope” according to the club’s first ever black player Paul Canoville.
Chelsea are finalising the appointment of Rosenior, who will become the club’s second black coach after Ruud Gullit and the club’s first black British head coach.
Canoville became Chelsea’s first black player in the 1980s and received racist abuse from some of the club’s fans. He has since set up the Paul Canoville Foundation and has a hospitality suite named after him at Stamford Bridge.
Rosenior, who is 41-years-old, will become just the second black head coach currently working in the Premier League and Canoville said: “What really strikes me about Liam is he grew up and played not far from here [Chelsea], he knows this community. His dad Leroy has an MBE for his work tackling discrimination in sport. That’s exactly what we do at The Paul Canoville Foundation, working with young people every day. There’s a real alignment there, no?
“When kids see someone like Liam managing their club, someone who looks like them, who’s from their ends, who comes from a family that fights for what’s right... that’s powerful, man. That’s hope. That’s showing them the path is there.”
Canoville added: “Look, first and foremost, this is about the man and the job. Liam Rosenior is a quality coach who knows the game inside out, and that’s what matters most. I want to wish him and his staff all the best. We need them to succeed, simple as that.
“But, yeah, as Chelsea’s first black player, I’d be lying if I said this moment doesn’t move me. I broke ground back in the day, faced things no player should face, just for the colour of my skin.
“Since then, we’ve had trailblazers. My brothers Paul Elliott, first black captain. Ken Monkou, first black player of the year. Ruud Gullit showing we could manage at the highest level. Ade Mafé coaching behind the scenes. Eddie Newton on the bench with [Roberto] Di Matteo when we won the Champions League, with [Didier] Drogba firing us to glory. And look at our academy now, black talent everywhere, including our current skipper Reece James.
“So, yeah, a massive moment for the club, for London, for every young person dreaming big. But right now? Let’s back Liam, give him what he needs, and let the man do his work. Up the Chelsea!”