Digger struggling for managerial post

[Matt]

The fact is there are only 92 league clubs in England and as such only a small number of managerial vacancies will exist each year.

It's simple maths that there will always be more good candidates than there will be jobs available and if there's only a small percentage of black applicants then that further diminishes the possibility of one being given the manager's job.

As said above, Barnes is a bad example. A great player but not an attractive candidate for management.

[wavydavy]

The fact is there are only 92 league clubs in England and as such only a small number of managerial vacancies will exist each year.

It's simple maths that there will always be more good candidates than there will be jobs available and if there's only a small percentage of black applicants then that further diminishes the possibility of one being given the manager's job.

As said above, Barnes is a bad example. A great player but not an attractive candidate for management.

At the risk of sounding racialist can anyone name any recently retired black players (last 5 yrs say) who demonstrate what we consider the necessary attributes to make a go of it as a manager in the PL? People like Sir Les, Earle, Bright, Collymore et al have all gone into the media. It would be different if there were a dozen or so candidates. Barnses' words smack of tokenism to me.

[Neil Young]

When you think of the huge range of personalities found among those who have gone into management - from Keegan's puppy-like enthusiasm to Moyes's wild-eyed rage - I can't believe that no black ex-player has "the suitable attributes"...unless being white is one of them which we all agree it isn't of course.

[Joe King]

Interesting to hear Ince in his press conference mention the likes of Andy Cole, Ledley King are doing their badges. What will be even more fascinating to see in the future is whether this generation of black managers make it into jobs. I personally think Ince did it the right way, by that I mean he gained an apprenticeship in the lower leagues and learning the 'hard way' however people like Southgate just walk into a Premiership job so it will interesting to see who comes out on top from those two.

[Rigadon]

Maybe Barnes needs to become an assistant to someone and try and gain recognition this way. This way, he would be up to speed with coaching methods, tactics and players.

[SimonPilot]

I find it dissapointing that he has followed suit from Ince and played the race card.

[calvoboy]

Sadly John Barnes = David Platt

Great player, given a cushy job with lots of backing as a manager, wasted tens of millions on **** players, failed miserably, reputation for ever damaged.

Nothing to do with race in his particular case, everything to do with ****ing up on a grand scale once given a break.

There is certainly racism in football management though. Ince was the one manager who won the league in all four divisions not to be voted manager of the year. And he did a double too, so there's no excuse that someone else achieved more by winning a cup. Similarly, Keith Alexander has done a good job wherever he's been, but has been treated like crap a couple of times and has never been offered the higher level job that his record deserves.

[Bob]

I think the problem is that in this argument Barnes is a bit of a red herring in that he did get a top job with a lot of advantages and did badly (even with the support of a good manager Kenny Dalgleish).

Here's a good article which points to some alarming stats: http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/6376121.stm

[Tuna Taco]

Disappointed he is trying to use the fact that he is black to get himself a job.

[Mattshark]

Disappointed he is trying to use the fact that he is black to get himself a job.

A lot of evidence suggests this may be the case though.

[Ferrrrnando]

Great club player, pretty awful international player (barring 3 games off the top of my head) and done miserably in his one big break as a manager. If i got offered a top job in finance and completed ballsed it up, i wouldn't expect to send a few letters out and get another job in finance. Stick to your wooden commentary Digger.

[-V-]

His time at celtic obviously damaged his rep so he should get into coaching and work his way up from there. If he can prove himself as a good first team coach then it shouldn't be a problem him to get a Management job

[Tuna Taco]

His time at celtic obviously damaged his rep so he should get into coaching and work his way up from there. If he can prove himself as a good first team coach then it shouldn't be a problem him to get a Management job

Got to concur with that. If he's good enough, he'll find his way there in the end.