A BLACK ENGLAND BOSS ‘CHALLENGE’

CHRIS HUGHTON is backing Sol Campbell to be a hit in charge of Macclesfield – but warned we are a long way off ever seeing a black England manager.

Three Lions legend Campbell has fought for years to get into management and has finally joined Brighton’s Hughton as one of only a handful of black bosses in the English game.

Hughton said: “As somebody who has campaigned and pushed, I’m delighted to see another black manager going into a very difficult job. I’m very happy for Sol and I really hope he’s a success there.”

Hughton has a long history with Campbell, who won 73 England caps, having worked with the former centre-half at Tottenham then signing him for Newcastle in 2010 (above).

So he knows the attributes that could help the 44-year-old survive at Macclesfield, who are rock bottom of League Two.

Hughton said: “I’ve spoken to Sol and know him well. I spent many years with him at Tottenham and took him in as a player at Newcastle. He has made everybody aware of the route that he wants to go down.

“It has possibly taken longer than he would have liked, but I’m sure he is ready for this job.

“Everyone leads in different ways but he was a good talker on the pitch, has a wonderful presence about him and is very serious about his football.”

Hughton, the only black manager in the Premier

League, believes Campbell’s appointment is another small step to achieving equality in the dugout.

But when asked to consider whether one day we could have a black England manager, he was wary.

“I still see that as a challenge,” he admitted.

“And the fact that there are not more black and ethnic managers at higher levels in our game is the biggest challenge that black coaches face.

“I have spoken about the reasons on lots of occasions and it goes back for quite some time. Perceptions of black coaches being managerial material have needed to change.”