FORMER PREMIER League striker Dwight Yorke has spoken out on the lack of diversity in football management, revealing the difficulties he and other black managers have faced trying to break into the business. 

Speaking on beIN SPORTS, Yorke revealed he “can’t even get an interview”, despite the endorsement of his old manager, the legendary Sir Alex Ferguson. 

“Sir Alex told me what I needed to do and I picked his brain.”

Dwight Yorke

After retiring in 2009 as the Premier League’s highest ever foreign goalscorer (a record now held by Manchester City’s Sergio Aguero), Yorke worked to complete his Level B coaching badge. With his sights set on beginning his managerial career at Aston Villa, the club for whom he made over two hundred appearances, Yorke claims he wasn’t even considered for the job despite Ferguson’s backing. 

“[Ferguson] 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.”

Interview

“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.”

Despite the EFL introducing the Rooney Rule last year in an attempt to address the lack of representation in management, Yorke claims the policy has had little impact, and with only six managers from a black, Asian or minority ethnic background currently employed at the 91 clubs in the top four divisions, who can argue?

Following Raheem Sterling’s Newsnight interview earlier this week, Yorke offered a similar message of defiance saying, “I’m going to fight this all the way. I’m still very hopeful.”