Football must address race imbalance – Hughton
Norwich City Manager Chris Hughton. Photo credit: Nick Potts/PA Wire.
Matt McGeehan
March 14 2014 01:58 PM
NORWICH manager Chris Hughton is at a loss to explain why he is the only black manager in England's leading four divisions and has called for football to take collective responsibility to address the imbalance.
Chris Powell's sacking as Charlton boss this week means Hughton, who is in his second season in charge at Carrow Road, is the only non-white manager out of 92 Premier League and Football League clubs.
"To be the only black manager in the divisions is something that is really disappointing," Hughton said.
"There's no doubt there is a massive imbalance in those from a playing capacity going through to management.
"There is a really disappointing void and it's our responsibility to make sure that changes.
"I have seen good strides made in general in involvement in football circles.
"What we have found is there are far more black and ethnic (minority) coaches involved at lesser levels, but those same percentages don't apply to first-team management.
"I have seen significant work done at other levels. It's good to see some of those balances a little bit more correct at other levels, but it's taking it to the next step, which is mainstream management.
"We all have a responsibility in the game to continue to work and to continue to evaluate why that is the case. That starts from the FA, from the football clubs themselves and the football environment."
Hughton's position has been questioned as Norwich's League position remains precarious.
The Canaries are the only one of the League's bottom seven not to have changed their manager this season.
Four wins would take Norwich beyond the 40-point mark – a total often targeted by League bosses for safety – but Hughton is looking only at finishing the season strongly to ensure top-flight football next term, beginning at Southampton tomorrow.
"We don't know what points (tally) it will take," he added.
"We just need to make sure we get the points we need to make this division more comfortable for ourselves."