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Give black managers a chance! Batson calls for introduction of Rooney Rule
By LAURA WILLIAMSON
Last updated at 10:45 PM on 7th September 2011
Brendon Batson says the paucity of black managers in English football is an embarrassment and thinks introducing the ‘Rooney Rule’ could help address the imbalance.
The Professional Footballers’ Association has committed to examining the measure, which was introduced in the USA in 2003 and ensures NFL clubs must interview at least one candidate from an ethnic minority when appointing a new head coach.
The PFA, League Managers Association, the FA, the Football League and the Premier League met on Tuesday to listen to the views of American civil rights lawyer Cyrus Mehri.
Leading the way: Birmingham manager Chris Hughton
Plea: Brendon BatsonThere are only two black managers — Charlton’s Chris Powell and Chris Hughton at Birmingham — in the four English divisions, yet hundreds of black players.
Former West Bromwich defender Batson, 58, was invited to the meeting and believes English football could learn from the Rooney Rule, without just copying the American model spearheaded by Pittsburgh Steelers chairman and US ambassador to Ireland, Dan Rooney.
Batson said: ‘It’s quite clear we’re not getting the best talent available and we have to look at this concept.
‘It’s about trying to get the best candidate for the job. If you are not casting that net far enough to scoop up the best talent, then are you really giving your club the best chance possible?
‘The NFL franchise owners all saw it as an opportunity to improve not only the image of the game but their own results as well.
‘This is about making sure the person who fits the position the best gets an interview. It’s still up to the people interviewing to make their choice.’
Mehri added: ‘The concept is very feasible and I’m bullish that the success in the US can be replicated here. What is required is a commitment to professionalise the hiring process. It will make clubs more competitive and spawn more job opportunities for black and white candidates.
‘We are not saying clubs have to hire minority candidates. We are just saying, “Give them a chance, maybe you don’t know what you’re missing”.’
Tough profession: Chris Powell is impressing at CharltonBatson believes English football is going backwards in its approach to hiring coaches and managers from black and ethnic minority backgrounds.
He has worked with the FA to produce a dvd, Coach, encouraging young people from ethnic minorities to see football as a full-time career and to become students of the game.
Batson said: ‘We don’t have enough coaches from black and minority ethnicities who have very high levels of qualifications because the appetite to appoint black coaches and manages is just not there. We seem to be going backwards.
‘You think back to Jean Tigana at Fulham and Ruud Gullit at Chelsea — they were high-profile managers. Now there are only two.
‘For their white counterparts, it seems almost as if it’s a rite of passage. It’s a natural progression from playing to management, if that’s what they wish.
‘But there’s a reluctance for some black players who are interested in coaching because they just don’t see role models getting chances. It’s demotivating.’
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/foo...#ixzz1XJUmdwmF
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