It’s Macc factor
CHRIS HUGHTON is backing Sol Campbell to be a hit at Macclesfield but warned England are still a long way from having a black manager. England legend Campbell has fought for years to get into management and has got his wish with the Silkmen. He joins Brighton’s Hughton as one of only a handful of black coaches in the English game.
The Seagulls boss 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-back at both Tottenham and Newcastle.
So he knows the attributes that could help the 44-year-old survive at Macclesfield, who are rock bottom in League Two.
Aware
He 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 he wants to go down.
“It has possibly taken longer than he would have liked but I’m quite sure he will be ready for this job. Everyone leads in different ways but he was a good talker on the pitch, has a wonderful presence and is very serious about his football.”
Hughton, the Premier League’s only black manager, 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 boss he was wary.
“I still see that as a challenge,” he said. “And the fact there are not more black and ethnic managers at higher levels in our game is the biggest challenge that black coaches face.
“I’ve spoken about the reasons on lots of occasions and it goes back for quite some time. Perceptions have needed to change.”