THE FA wants 30 per cent of the England men’s coaching staff to be from ethnically diverse backgrounds by 2028.
The governing body was told earlier this year it needed to “work a lot harder” to create a diverse pool of candidates for the England head coach position by the Black Footballers Partnership. The BFP cited the lack of realistic homegrown options from diverse backgrounds to replace Gareth Southgate when he resigned in the summer.
BFP data published last year found 43 per cent of Premier League players were black, but that has not translated into coaching positions.
With climate change, commercial overload and endless fixtures, footballers are being pushed to breaking point. It’s time their unions became a more powerful, unified force, writes JAMES NALTON
STEVEN ANDREW welcomes a fine introduction to FC United of Manchester, the team set up in opposition to Manchester United


