It is a vital step forward

THIS is 100 per cent good news and of course it’s a step forward. Some might disagree and if there weren’t that many black faces in the game, maybe they would have a point. But if you look at the number of black players in football today, it’s not replicated on the managerial side. Of course the candidates should have to prove themselves. You can’t just jump ahead because of the colour of your skin. They must have the right qualifications, but all you want is a level playing field. Now they’re talking about Oprah Winfrey for president in the United States. If they can do it there, I’m sure we can. There may be a view that black players don’t make great managers, but you just can’t say that. You look at the likes of Andy Cole, Dwight Yorke, Rio Ferdinand and Luther Blissett. They’re not involved and that’s a loss to English football. Back in 1993, Keith Alexander and I were the first black managers in the Football League. Everyone thought that was a revolution and would change football, but 25 years on it’s no better. It’s been talked about for so long and nothing has been done. It’s just not ethical and I don’t know why it has taken this long to address it.