The Premier League, English Football League and Professional Footballers’ Association have announced a new scheme to increase the number of Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) coaches in the game.
Premier League, English Football League and PFA Announce BAME Coach Scheme
Player-to-Coach Scheme
The player-to-coach scheme will start next season as a pilot. The scheme will give up to six coaches a 23-month work placement at Football League clubs per campaign.
The move is designed to help BAME players move into full-time coaching roles in professional football. Applications are open to all BAME PFA members at any age or stage in their career.
Candidates must have a minimum of a UEFA B qualification and commit to UEFA A coaching license. They must also take the FA Advanced Youth Award and will be selected following panel and individual club interviews.
The scheme will be funded by the Premier League and the PFA, with bursaries provided to each participant via the placement club.
“We have designed this collaborative bursary scheme so that talented future coaches amongst our membership can flourish within a structured coaching environment,” PFA chief executive Gordon Taylor said. “Which includes meaningful pathways for future employment.”
FA Support
The scheme, supported by The FA, has been developed over the last 18 months and compliments the Premier League’s existing BAME coach development programme, which launched in 2015.
Members of the Premier League’s Black Participants’ Advisory Group, which includes Doncaster Rovers boss Darren Moore and West Ham United coach Paul Nevin, have offered their support to players and clubs involved in the scheme.
Positive Step to Increase Diversity of Coaches
Currently, just six of the 91 PL and EFL managers or head coaches are BAME.
“This is a critical time for black, Asian and minority ethnic coaches,” Darren Moore said. “We all know and agree that the diversity of coaches and managers must increase and this placement scheme represents a positive step.
“There are lots of roles in the academy system, all the way through to the first team, and young coaches can slot in at different points to begin that journey.
“We need to have the right structures and people in place to develop their careers. I know from my own experiences the value of strong support throughout the coaching journey.”
More BAME Coaches Will Create Greater Opportunities
Premier League chief executive Richard Masters’ said: “It is vital that there are no barriers to entry to the pipelines for employment in coaching.
“We need more BAME coaches entering the system to create greater opportunities throughout the professional game,” Masters added.
The PFA has offered the full supports of its coaching team. A coaching team that has helped many, including Darren Moore, Frank Lampard and Mikel Arteta transition into coaching over the last 30 years.
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