FA 'sets example' by adopting Rooney Rule for hiring future England managers
The move comes after figures showed just 22 of 482 coaching roles in the top four football divisions were held by BAME coaches.
Tuesday 9 January 2018 16:50, UK
The next England manager will be appointed from a list of candidates which will include at least one person from a black, Asian or minority ethnic (BAME) background.
The Football Association's chief executive Martin Glenn revealed the body would adopt its own version of the so-called Rooney Rule for candidates being interviewed for future roles within the England set-up.
He said the FA was committed to implementing the rule - named after the Naional Football League's (NFL) diversity committee chairman Dan Rooney - when it comes to choosing current manager Gareth Southgate's successor.
The move, which was introduced at the start of the year, follows figures by the Sports People's Think Tank which found just 22 of 482 coaching positions in the top four football divisions were held by BAME coaches.
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Currently, there are just five BAME managers in England's top four divisions - Northampton's Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, Carlisle's Keith Curle, Wolves' Nuno Espirito Santo and Chesterfield's Jack Lester.
Chris Hughton is the only non-white manager in the Premier League.
Mr Glenn said: "We are there to set an example. I think the Rooney Rule on its own isn't enough. All the other programmes about building the pipeline of talented young BAME coaches is also important at the same time.
"We are also quite a big employer as well if you think about the number of 28 England teams now, if you include men's, women's and disability.
"I think in talking to people at the Premier League and the FA, I don't see any resistance to it and to be fair the EFL (English Football League] has a Rooney Rule in place."
The policy change comes after Eni Aluko brought allegations of racism against England women's team manager Mark Sampson - which led to his sacking.
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The controversy sparked a new whistle-blowing procedure for players.
Mr Glenn said: "She (Eni) was asked and this is a sport-wide issue. We consulted with UK Sport and they were delighted to work with us. How can elite players in a programme make a complaint and not jeopardise their place.
"UK Sport specifically asked to talk to Eni and she made some very useful suggestions which have largely been incorporated."
The FA also announced a boost in grassroots funding and initiatives to improve diversity in the sport.
It said it would double the prize fund for FA Cup wins at every stage of the tournament and inject £9m more a year for grassroots facilities and £6m more a year to increase grassroots participation.