Kick it Out Campaign

[Risso]

How many of those are English?

That's true

So if English managers don't get much of a sniff of the top jobs, black English managers get an even rougher deal?

What do you reckon? at least 25% of players are black? only 3 black managers in the football league.

I don't know what the reason is for such a small number but the only conclusion I can reach is that it's because they're black

I'm sure somebody out there must have done some reserach.  But as I said before, how many go on to do their coaching badges?  How many actually WANT to be managers?  I always thought that somebody like Dion Dublin would be a good manager, but he seems happier with media work.  Going back to the age thing, if the average age of managers is (totally guessing) 48, what was the percentage of black players when those managers were playing?  There could be a time lag effect going on.  Or football chairmen could all be like Ron Noades, who are comfortable employing black players, but not black managers.  It's interesting though.

[London Villan]

Isn't football is one of the most open "industries" to talent. It doesn't matter what colour, race, religion or if you've spent time inside or are a horrible character. If you are good enough you'll get into a team somewhere, morals or outdated views of the world get thrown out of the window.

If you look at the make up of players at the top of the game, then look at their colour, religion, nationality I doubt you'd find another industry in the country with such a wide mix. Speaking from experience look at the mix compared to say journalism or advertising?

I sometimes wonder why football is singled out so much as having "problems" when there are so many other industries that are so much more closed. Yes there are idiots, such as Terry, that should have the book thrown at them, but the fact that supporters are giving them grief about being a racist is in itself a massive shift from the 1970s/80s.

I caveat all this with saying it's easy to say this from the standpoint of someone who has fortunately never experience this type of prejudice.

[N'ZMAV]

Probably one of the best points I've seen made for a while, London Villan.

[Ger Regan]

It is a fair point to an extent, but surely there's more levels to racism than just whether someone's given an opportunity or not based on the colour of their skin? And as has been pointed out, playing staff in football may well have a wide range of creeds and races, but management certainly doesn't.

[placeforparks]

I mean every single team has today a healthy mix of black / white / foreign players whom all seem to get on.

Plenty of foreign managers as well. But no black ones.

Something strange there

How many black players take their coaching badges?  I've no idea by the way, just asking.

people talk about the absence of black coaches and managers, but the most prominent black british players of the premier league era - ian wright, dion dublin, stan collymore, les ferdinand etc have all opted to go into the media instead.

[barrysleftfoot]

  I think football is the ultimate meritocracy.Regardless of skin/colour/age if you are deemed good enough then you will get the job.Like a lot of things in football there is a "fad", because Mourinho and Wenger were so successful, the appointment of foreign coaches is popular, similarly Fergies achievements have meant a plethora of Scottish managers.As soon as a black manager has success, then i'm sure there will be many more to follow.I'm not sure why it is such a big issue, as i;m sure its not racially motivated. 

[Risso]

I mean every single team has today a healthy mix of black / white / foreign players whom all seem to get on.

Plenty of foreign managers as well. But no black ones.

Something strange there

How many black players take their coaching badges?  I've no idea by the way, just asking.

people talk about the absence of black coaches and managers, but the most prominent black british players of the premier league era - ian wright, dion dublin, stan collymore, les ferdinand etc have all opted to go into the media instead.

Agreed, that's the point I was making before.  It is interesting though, as black players are statisically massively over-represented in professional football, whereas black managers more accurately represent the demographics of the UK.  Players of Indian/Pakistani origin on the other hand are under-represented.

[dave.woodhall]

I mean every single team has today a healthy mix of black / white / foreign players whom all seem to get on.

Plenty of foreign managers as well. But no black ones.

Something strange there

How many black players take their coaching badges?  I've no idea by the way, just asking.

people talk about the absence of black coaches and managers, but the most prominent black british players of the premier league era - ian wright, dion dublin, stan collymore, les ferdinand etc have all opted to go into the media instead.

Agreed, that's the point I was making before.  It is interesting though, as black players are statisically massively over-represented in professional football, whereas black managers more accurately represent the demographics of the UK.  Players of Indian/Pakistani origin on the other hand are under-represented.

Although in non-league football that seems to be changing. There are less black players than there used to be, but more Asians.

[olaftab]

Although in non-league football that seems to be changing. There are less black players than there used to be, but more Asians.

Football is new to the Asian culture. My father's generation had absolutely no interest in it and mainly associated it with insults and random abuse. My generation showed a bit more liking for it but I would say only about 10% got smitten. The next generation now in their 20's and 30's are much more into it. They play and support ....well support Manu. Their children now mainly under 10 are into football as passionately as any kid of that age from any ethnic group. This generation will represent as players at equal level  providing they are good enough.

[Percy McCarthy]

Bring it on brother.

[1874]

To my mind, when black managers have had an opportunity, they haven't exactly done great. Paul Ince was given a chance at Blackburn as was John Barnes at Celtic. Neither made the most of it.

[hawkeye]

Somehow the problem of racism has become a football problem only,
The antics of people like Drug cheat Rio Ferdinand has nothing to do with race but more about thier egos.
So Rio wants to create a Black Players group, now that will really help with stamping out racism.

[Clampy]

To my mind, when black managers have had an opportunity, they haven't exactly done great. Paul Ince was given a chance at Blackburn as was John Barnes at Celtic. Neither made the most of it.

But that was'nt because they were black, it's because they were poor managers.

[olaftab]

Ferdinand wants to institutionalise racism by setting up this group. It will be a shame if he succeeds. In my mind all these "Black this" "Asian that" bodies are an anathema   and divide rather than unite.

[tomd2103]

How many of those are English?

That's true

So if English managers don't get much of a sniff of the top jobs, black English managers get an even rougher deal?

What do you reckon? at least 25% of players are black? only 3 black managers in the football league.

I don't know what the reason is for such a small number but the only conclusion I can reach is that it's because they're black

I'm sure somebody out there must have done some reserach.  But as I said before, how many go on to do their coaching badges?  How many actually WANT to be managers?  I always thought that somebody like Dion Dublin would be a good manager, but he seems happier with media work.  Going back to the age thing, if the average age of managers is (totally guessing) 48, what was the percentage of black players when those managers were playing?  There could be a time lag effect going on.  Or football chairmen could all be like Ron Noades, who are comfortable employing black players, but not black managers.  It's interesting though.

It isn't just British football where this happens.  It has always been the case in the US with basketball and American football, though recent changes have been made.