Sol Campbell appointment can't mask ‘challenges’ BAME coaches face to get top jobs, insists Chris Hughton

The Brighton boss believes black and minority ethnic coaches still face an uphill struggle in English football

Black and minority ethnic (BAME) coaches still face “challenges” to break into top managerial roles in English football, according to Chris Hughton.

Brighton boss Hughton praised Macclesfield's decision to appoint his old Tottenham team-mate Sol Campbell as their manager this week.

But despite being encouraged by seeing Campbell's first steps into management, Hughton still insists black managers face an uphill struggle to force their way into top roles in the English game.

“At this stage of our game the fact that there are not more black and ethnic managers at higher levels is the biggest challenge that black coaches have,” said Hughton.

“I still see that as a challenge and we can look at particular individuals and I might know lots of the circumstances around that individual or not.

“But I would speak from a broader point of view, the general rather than the individual, and there are still challenges ahead.

“On lots of occasions I have spoken about the reasons why that is the case but the facts are there and it goes back for quite some time.

“Perceptions of black coaches going into management or being management material have needed to change. Whether that is the case with Sol Campbell is an individual one.”

Campbell has been looking for an opportunity in management for several years (PA)

Hughton does however believe Campbell is fully prepared for managerial life, after taking the Macclesfield helm.

“I've spoken to Sol over a period of time; I know him well,” Hughton added. “We had many years together at Tottenham and I took him in as a player at Newcastle.

“He has made everyone aware of the route he wanted to go down. It's taken longer than he might have liked.

“But I don't think you can talk that way, want what he's wanted, and not be ready for it. So absolutely I'm sure Sol is ready for this job. He will know the challenges, know the difficulties of this job.

“And I would imagine that he's got bundles and bundles of enthusiasm going into that role, and knows exactly what he's capable of.

“As someone who has campaigned and pushed and seen developments, with FA initiatives, and the work others are trying, firstly I'm delighted to see another black manager going into a very difficult job. But it's more about the individual taking that role. I'm really happy for Sol.

“It is a tough job, it's not a job where you walk in and everything's in place, and there will be challenges that go with that. So you can't accuse Sol of not taking a harder route.

“So credit to him, and Macclesfield, and I really hope he's a success there.”