Clarke to lead BAME managers and coaches review
At its meeting in London today, the Board of Directors of The Football League accepted a recommendation from its Chairman, Greg Clarke, that he lead a review of all matters relating to the under-representation of Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) managers and coaches at League clubs.The Board will agree the review’s Terms of Reference at its next meeting on November 6th.
As part of the review process, The Football League will consult with its own clubs, The Football Association, other Leagues, the Professional Footballers’ Association, the League Managers’ Association, the Football Supporters’ Federation, Kick It Out and other interested parties.
The League will take the resulting analysis and recommendations to its club meeting at the end of the season. The report and its underlying analysis will also be published to ensure transparency.
Football League Chairman, Greg Clarke, said: “The current under-representation of BAME managers and coaches in the professional game is an important matter.
"We have consistently recognised the imbalance in representation at first team manager level but have yet to see a comprehensive solution being proposed.
“It is a complex issue that needs a careful and thoughtful appraisal of the current situation in English professional football.
"This will include collecting and analysing data on BAME representation at all levels of the coach development pipeline, from opportunities for individuals to acquire their coaching qualifications through to appointments at first team level.
“The Rooney Rule has been suggested by some as a potential way forward, however until we have consulted fully with all parties we will remain open minded about any potential solutions.
"The real challenge is to increase BAME representation at all levels of the coaching pipeline and to ensure that there is fair access to employment opportunities for everyone. To this end, The Football League is already actively participating in The FA Chairman’s England Commission which is urgently seeking to address existing issues relating to coaching development, including BAME participation.”
