Rooney Rule would not work in Premier League - Les Ferdinand
- Published
Previously a coach at Tottenham, Ferdinand is now QPR's head of football operations
Former England striker Les Ferdinand says the NFL's Rooney Rule would not work in the Premier League because many clubs do not interview managers.
The rule requires at least one black or ethnic minority candidate to be interviewed for every NFL coaching job.
But Ferdinand told BBC Radio 5 live: "It can only work if there's an interviewing process and there's not.
"Normally they've identified the next man they want, so there are not any candidates to choose from."
What is the 'Rooney Rule'? |
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The 'Rooney Rule' was established in 2003 and named after Dan Rooney, owner of the Pittsburgh Steelers and the chairman of the NFL's diversity committee. It requires NFL teams to interview at least one black or ethnic minority candidate for head coaching and senior football operation opportunities that become available, as part of a transparent and open recruitment process. |
There are currently only two black managers working in the top 92 clubs in English football, Chris Powell at Huddersfield and Keith Curle at Carlisle.
And Ferdinand says changes beyond the Rooney Rule would be needed to increase that number.
"Unless the criteria for Premier League changes to say that you have to interview three or four candidates it's never going to change," added the former Newcastle, Tottenham and QPR forward.
"Premier League chairmen need an interviewing process and they need to change the way the situation works at the moment.
"You need to people in front of directors and chairman to say 'this is my CV, this is what I've done - can I get an opportunity?'"
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