Lack of black managers "makes no sense" says Rio Ferdinand

FORMER MANCHESTER United star Rio Ferdinand says that the dearth of black managers in the Premier and Football leagues “makes no sense.”

Chris Powell (Huddersfield Town) and Keith Curle (Carlisle United) are the only two black managers in England’s top divisions and ex England star Ferdinand has questioned why there is a lack of black managers in his new book #2Sides.

Ferdinand, who advocates that aspiring coaches gain their coaching qualifications despite the lack of opportunity, writes: “Almost half the talent in the Premier League is made up of black or mixed-race players. For there to be no representation of this at executive level and among coaches makes no sense. Is it because of racism, as some people reckon? Or is there a more prosaic answer?

“The question comes up when I’m talking to older black players or recently retired black players. A lot of black players and players coming to the end of their careers do feel they’ll be denied the opportunity to coach.

“Management and coaching tends to be a ‘friend’ business. If you’re a mate of someone, you’ll get a job. That’s what often happens and sometimes it’s not the best man for the job. The deciding factor is if you or your agent know a chairman.”

Ferdinand, who left United in the summer to join newly-promoted Queens Park Rangers, is of the opinion however, that times are changing in terms of black managers.

“I think change is in the air. Recently-retired players with obvious potential to be good managers such as Sol Campbell are now doing their badges. Hopefully my generation will be the generation that changes that picture.

“Hopefully we can start to break through and dispel any feeling that there is a glass ceiling for players of colour.”