Disturbing lack of jobs for black managers – Vieira

Crystal Palace manager Patrick Vieira said on Friday it was difficult to understand why he was the only black manager in the top flight of English men’s or women’s football.

The former Arsenal captain was named this week along with players Bukayo Saka, Raheem Sterling and Marcus Rashford on this year’s Football Black List, which recognizes the efforts of black figures working in various areas of the game.

A report published in October found that 43 percent of Premier League players are black, but Vieira remains the sole manager.

“It bothers me a lot,” said the Frenchman. “It’s hard for me to grasp and understand, and I think that just shows there’s a long way to go.”

The Szymanski report, commissioned by the Black Footballers Partnership, also found that 14 percent of those with the highest coaching qualifications are black.

Black people, however, made up only 1.6 percent of those in leadership, managerial, and ownership positions in football.

Queens Park Rangers director of football Les Ferdinand said those figures showed the Football Association’s diversity code – a directive launched in 2020 to tackle racial inequality – had failed.

All rights reserved. This material and other digital content on this website may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without the prior express written permission of PUNCH.

Contact: [email protected]