A sports think tank determined that coaches from black and ethnic minority backgrounds still face "institutionally embedded barriers" in English football, according to the BBC. The Sports People's Think Tank's annual report said that progress since '14 has been "minimal" for BAME candidates. Just 22 of the 482 senior coaching roles in English football's top four divisions are held by BAME coaches, according to SPTT's research. It wants English football to adopt the "Rooney Rule." The research by SPTT looked at six positions in football, from first-team manager to lead coach of the U18 sides. The recent appointments of Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink at League One side Northampton Town and Jack Lester at League Two side Chesterfield brings the number of BAME managers in the 92 clubs to five. The research said that any improvements made come from "a small number of more progressive clubs ... with a track record of hiring BAME coaches." After piloting the Rooney Rule last season, all clubs in the League Championship, League One and League Two signed up to "extend the trial to cover first-team vacancies" (BBC, 11/30). SKY SPORTS' Dev Trehan reported former League Championship side Birmingham City defender Michael Johnson said that a Rooney Rule in football will allow BAME coaches to "demonstrate their talent." He said, "We're not saying anybody because you're black or because you're Asian should get a job. No, absolutely not. What we are saying is that it would be great just to get an opportunity to be in the interview room and just be part of that interview process" (SKY SPORTS, 11/30).
