Dwight Yorke has revealed the struggles he's endured while trying to get into football management as a black professional – even with the sterling recommendation of Manchester United's legendary manager Sir Alex Ferguson.
The iconic United and Aston Villa striker has pointed out the severe lack of diversity in football management and claims he 'can't even get an interview' despite having Ferguson as his mentor.
In an interview on beIN SPORTS's Keys and Gray Show, Yorke revealed how the Scot has been 'tremendous' to him and how he'd be willing to vouch for him should he apply for a job in management.
However, having applied for the job at Villa Park with Ferguson's full backing, Yorke claims he hasn't even been offered an interview.
Yorke said: 'It’s a fact that Sir Alex Ferguson, who’s been tremendous and like a father figure – I’ve always said and to this day remains – when I applied for the Villa job, I went into his office and told him exactly what I was trying to do.
'He gave me some experience, he told me what I needed to do and I picked his brain. At the same time, he picked the phone up and rang [Aston] Villa for me to give his recommendation.
'He’s always said to me, if I need anything, any recommendation to break into management, he would vouch for me. Even to this day. With his help, I still can’t get an interview. I still can’t get an interview to this day. That is what we are facing today.
'You have seen, on the other hand, white players given that platform with very little experience, straight into management… Yet we haven’t seen a black manager in the Premier League. I would go as far as to say look at the backroom staff. There’s probably not even a black person in backroom staff as well. There is a serious issue here.
'I’m going to fight this all the way. I’m still very hopeful.'
In a bid to help more BAME (Black, Asian and minority ethnic) candidates land jobs in higher positions, the 'Rooney rule' was implemented by the EFL last year, which is a policy that clubs in American football should interview at least one BAME candidate for each head coach or senior football operation vacancy.
However, Yorke says the rule has made little to no impact as of yet.
'It is an absolute joke,' Yorke said. 'It's not been implemented whatsoever… And if you go even deeper and you follow it in the NFL there are new rules that set in that if you hire a black manager you go up in the league or something.
'The players obviously have gone against that because it's a token gesture. This Rooney Rule hasn't been implemented for years. I know Sol Campbell. I spoke to Sol Campbell. He went to Grimsby, he was trying his nuts off just to try and get a job!
'He went to Macclesfield, someone who's played the level he has, and now he's at Southend. When you see other players, I can call names but I won't, other players have been fast forwarded and fast tracked.
'The one response I get, I've applied for the Villa job twice now, I get one response from the CEO and his response to me was, "I need experience". Where am I going to go and get experience if I'm not being given a chance?'
Val’cole
0
I am a black man, but I am not bothered about racism, reasons are, the white is not better than me, you call me monkey I call you smelling pig. God created both white and black so I don't see any fu**ng reason that will make whites think that they are superior. we blacks are the one makes it to look like been black man is abomination...if a white man hit you once hit him twice, I am black you are white and so what? did God tell you that whites are better than blacks when he created the world? you don't have to be angry when they use the word H" on you, just call them pigs...that's what they are! they are all smelling like pigs or you better ignore those thugs. but when you started been angry they will continue their stupid chants. whites doesn't have blue blood, whites die and turn to dust, white got injured as a human being. whites doesn't eat food through anus, neither do they have double mouth or 4 legs. so why did they think they are better than blacks to the extent of insulting them...just that they were privileged to enslave them. cus Africans lack quality leadership
U said it all my brother,100% right
laoabcelsz
0
Kolo toure is among the back room staff at Leicester city while Paul ince once coached in the EPL and rijkaard at Barcelona too
adegbenga
0
White people will always hate blacks Because they fear our potentials
lihlmruz
0
your last sentence reminds me Roy sawant speech in high park.
cubbesz
1
If yer good enough YORKE you’ll get in... If your not you won’t... Stop using the colour and race card crap.. it’s cowardly....
How many whack managers are in the PL? Are any of them black? Why are inexperienced and not so good white managers given the chance to prove themselves but black managers aren’t? That’s what we talking about.
faeamsyz
0
if you ask me I'll tell you God is black,coz we blacks love those who don't even love us.....we are special in our on way
and what brought you under here
mamdeiklmr
0
I am a black man, but I am not bothered about racism, reasons are, the white is not better than me, you call me monkey I call you smelling pig. God created both white and black so I don't see any fu**ng reason that will make whites think that they are superior. we blacks are the one makes it to look like been black man is abomination...if a white man hit you once hit him twice, I am black you are white and so what? did God tell you that whites are better than blacks when he created the world? you don't have to be angry when they use the word H" on you, just call them pigs...that's what they are! they are all smelling like pigs or you better ignore those thugs. but when you started been angry they will continue their stupid chants. whites doesn't have blue blood, whites die and turn to dust, white got injured as a human being. whites doesn't eat food through anus, neither do they have double mouth or 4 legs. so why did they think they are better than blacks to the extent of insulting them...just that they were privileged to enslave them. cus Africans lack quality leadership
u said it all
Donsammyg
1
true talk my dear the white found it so difficult to hire a black man
Liberties85ok
0
Try the rest of Europe. Don't just go to England and say you haven't been interviewed. Norwegian, Swedish, Irish leagues etc aren't that competitive and can give someone a good learning curve of first team football.
Always blame the ENGLISH...but hes ok taking the money 💰.. hypocrite he is..
Liberties85ok
0
This is the way forward
[image]
But he still wants to be accepted in champions league... Thick ballotelli
Liberties85ok
3
If yer good enough YORKE you’ll get in... If your not you won’t... Stop using the colour and race card crap.. it’s cowardly....
Buchi109
1
I am a black man, but I am not bothered about racism, reasons are, the white is not better than me, you call me monkey I call you smelling pig. God created both white and black so I don't see any fu**ng reason that will make whites think that they are superior. we blacks are the one makes it to look like been black man is abomination...if a white man hit you once hit him twice, I am black you are white and so what? did God tell you that whites are better than blacks when he created the world? you don't have to be angry when they use the word H" on you, just call them pigs...that's what they are! they are all smelling like pigs or you better ignore those thugs. but when you started been angry they will continue their stupid chants. whites doesn't have blue blood, whites die and turn to dust, white got injured as a human being. whites doesn't eat food through anus, neither do they have double mouth or 4 legs. so why did they think they are better than blacks to the extent of insulting them...just that they were privileged to enslave them. cus Africans lack quality leadership
Exactly my point bro.
vumbklpryz
12
I am a black man, but I am not bothered about racism, reasons are, the white is not better than me, you call me monkey I call you smelling pig. God created both white and black so I don't see any fu**ng reason that will make whites think that they are superior. we blacks are the one makes it to look like been black man is abomination...if a white man hit you once hit him twice, I am black you are white and so what? did God tell you that whites are better than blacks when he created the world? you don't have to be angry when they use the word H" on you, just call them pigs...that's what they are! they are all smelling like pigs or you better ignore those thugs. but when you started been angry they will continue their stupid chants. whites doesn't have blue blood, whites die and turn to dust, white got injured as a human being. whites doesn't eat food through anus, neither do they have double mouth or 4 legs. so why did they think they are better than blacks to the extent of insulting them...just that they were privileged to enslave them. cus Africans lack quality leadership
zealsmy
0
in my life i have never seen a white man or woman or black man or woman i have only see pink and yellow man and woman brown man and woman, so where is this white and black people living in this world
You cant run away from the reality
zealsmy
0
I think Paul ince once coach the Blackburn rovers in EPL btw 2009-2011 season
You think...hahaha
evanxo
0
This is the way forward
[image]
That's it bro! We need to wake up and rethink.
evanxo
1
Name them! Lampard, Terry, ole,Steven G, Neville, giggsy,.... Why?
jetaeilz
7
This is the way forward
Loabcestu
0
if you ask me I'll tell you God is black,coz we blacks love those who don't even love us.....we are special in our on way
everyone is speacial
Loabcestu
3
we are all human , thats it. The problem to many racist.. In all directions.
Rhema10
1
Come back to Africa and lets develop!the same case applies to goalkeepers.. if we have to stop this we need to be independent
thank you. that is the solution
Lebaenprz
1
If most of the African country cant offer their own coaches jobs at the national level where will tjey ge experience? Start by believing and having faith in your self (i know if we talk about black people we dont talk about africa only)
exactly brother! We really need to wake up as a people smh
si1
0
if you ask me I'll tell you God is black,coz we blacks love those who don't even love us.....we are special in our on way
Leontheguru
0
Paul ince once coach Blackburn rovers in EPL
i forgot about him and he also did really well in the lower leagues is he still managing?
Leontheguru
0
kolo Toure is a coaching staff at Leicester city and he's black
now if Kolo toure applied to manage Celtic in the future it would be understandable and if he got it not many people would feel he doesn't deserve it
evanxo
2
If most of the African country cant offer their own coaches jobs at the national level where will tjey ge experience? Start by believing and having faith in your self (i know if we talk about black people we dont talk about africa only)
evanxo
0
Come back to Africa and lets develop!the same case applies to goalkeepers.. if we have to stop this we need to be independent
laoabcelsz
0
I think Paul ince once coach the Blackburn rovers in EPL btw 2009-2011 season
laoabcelsz
0
most coaches start as part of a coaching staff before applying for managerial jobs eg Giggs, Phil and Gary Neville, why hasnt he tried coaching jobs this is something Rio could have done to be a trail blazzer and now he would probably be coaching, plus we have had atleast 3 black managers in the epl i cant remember their names but one at qpr, at norwich aaaaannnnddddd we need more black people being part of coaching teams and assistant managers befire yoi can start demanding jobs at clubs like Villa look what happened to Henry when he got his chance
Paul ince once coach Blackburn rovers in EPL
laeabeilmu
0
I thought white people are the one who play that card... daily
then you are higher than Compton! 😂😂😂😂😂
Don Zayo
0
is there any that are good?
If you're not given the chance how will you demonstrate your abilities
Lioabpsy
0
FA need a clean house they have to check themselves look at All the Black players who have a great career who can help teams bring their experience and no Black coaches cheme on you Fa
ziudnostyz
0
black live matters campaign
shut up with that rubbish every life matters
MemeDude69420
0
Black life matter. These are all racism we are talking about in England too, because he's black so they can't give him the position but rally white me. We are still strong no matter how they try. Black's remains superior.
Wouldn’t that be racism too? If one race is above the rest it’s not equality anymore.
MemeDude69420
1
I have never seen a yellow man or woman before where are they at
They’re stuck in the Simpson show
ziudnostyz
0
no black coach at all this big teams and this world we must stop bad habit
is there any that are good?
ziudnostyz
1
Black life matter. These are all racism we are talking about in England too, because he's black so they can't give him the position but rally white me. We are still strong no matter how they try. Black's remains superior.
shut up with that rubbish
Teacdlmrsu
1
most coaches start as part of a coaching staff before applying for managerial jobs eg Giggs, Phil and Gary Neville, why hasnt he tried coaching jobs this is something Rio could have done to be a trail blazzer and now he would probably be coaching, plus we have had atleast 3 black managers in the epl i cant remember their names but one at qpr, at norwich aaaaannnnddddd we need more black people being part of coaching teams and assistant managers befire yoi can start demanding jobs at clubs like Villa look what happened to Henry when he got his chance
kolo Toure is a coaching staff at Leicester city and he's black
Sabacdlry
0
I have never seen a yellow man or woman before where are they at
Jeuilor
3
Black life matter. These are all racism we are talking about in England too, because he's black so they can't give him the position but rally white me. We are still strong no matter how they try. Black's remains superior.
Sobbdimnr
0
If your right for the job clubs will give you the job ? But hey if you don't get the job you want you can always play the race card
Football is a sport you can always work yourself up. You think Guardiola got his job for no reason? No. You think Klopp got his job for no reason? Nope. Look at Sarri he worked his way up from the lowest leagues. It's not right to expect to be in positions if you're not delivering the goods and that's a fact.
Leontheguru
0
most coaches start as part of a coaching staff before applying for managerial jobs eg Giggs, Phil and Gary Neville, why hasnt he tried coaching jobs this is something Rio could have done to be a trail blazzer and now he would probably be coaching, plus we have had atleast 3 black managers in the epl i cant remember their names but one at qpr, at norwich aaaaannnnddddd we need more black people being part of coaching teams and assistant managers befire yoi can start demanding jobs at clubs like Villa look what happened to Henry when he got his chance
Nickfrost
3
you mean all this has been happening in your life and still you were quiet..such a legend!!am so touched.
Pineklotyz
0
in my life i have never seen a white man or woman or black man or woman i have only see pink and yellow man and woman brown man and woman, so where is this white and black people living in this world
febclmrstz
3
Try the rest of Europe. Don't just go to England and say you haven't been interviewed. Norwegian, Swedish, Irish leagues etc aren't that competitive and can give someone a good learning curve of first team football.
fohcdepuy
2
If your right for the job clubs will give you the job ? But hey if you don't get the job you want you can always play the race card
isn't playing the race card it's a known fact ! count how many BLACK MANAGERS ARE IN THE TOP LEAGUES NOT JUST IN THE EPL! I'M WAITING
Bogdan2007
0
WHAT A LEGEND
Blacklivesmatter3
0
If your right for the job clubs will give you the job ? But hey if you don't get the job you want you can always play the race card
I thought white people are the one who play that card... daily
Teyklmouy
4
If your right for the job clubs will give you the job ? But hey if you don't get the job you want you can always play the race card