England’s Coaching Critique as MLS Adopts Innovation
In soccer, a striking disparity exists between the sideline diversity in England and the United States. The English Premier League (EPL), revered for its global popularity and competitive talent, boasts a staggering 43% of Black players. However, this diversity sharply contrasts with its coaching ranks, where opportunities for Black individuals remain alarmingly limited. As of the 2023/24 season, only 4.4% of management positions in professional football in England are held by Black employees, according to the Black Footballers Partnership. In stark comparison, Major League Soccer (MLS) in the USA showcases a significant advancement in racial diversity, with 44.3% of coaching staff among people of color. What accounts for this profound divide across the Atlantic?
Non-Black Ex-Players Are 50% More Likely to Land Management Roles
The landscape for coaching in England is shadowed by issues of cronyism and unconscious bias. Non-Black ex-players have a 50% greater likelihood of securing management positions. This alarming discrepancy is attributed to systemic barriers faced by Black coaches. The Black Footballers Partnership highlights that Black coaches confront a 41% higher risk of being dismissed from their positions. The entrenched “insider” networks, predominantly white and male, preferentially favor familiar faces over equally qualified minorities looking to break into management roles.
Former Arsenal defender Sol Campbell, himself a celebrated figure in the sport, became so disillusioned with the process that he withdrew from applying for coaching jobs in England, citing widespread discrimination. The Football Association’s 2020 Leadership Diversity Code aimed to increase representation by establishing hiring targets, yet most clubs are falling short; only 9% of senior coaching roles are occupied by individuals who identify as Black or of mixed heritage. The efforts put forth by initiatives like the EPL’s Coach Inclusion Scheme lack enforceable consequences, as the Premier League remains resistant to implementing mandatory diversity regulations, similar to the NFL’s Rooney Rule.
The Coaches of the MLS: A Diverse Landscape
On the other side of the Atlantic, Major League Soccer benefits significantly from a younger, less entrenched soccer culture, which plays an essential role in fostering diversity within coaching ranks. The MLS’s Coaching Diversity Initiative, established in 2007, functions similarly to the Rooney Rule by mandating interviews with diverse candidates for technical roles. This initiative, paired with a vibrant and diverse player base, nurtures an environment that values inclusion. In 2019, the MLS received an A+ rating for racial hiring practices from the Institute for Diversity and Ethics in Sport, distinguishing it within the realm of professional soccer.
Coaches like Oscar Pareja and Wilfried Nancy exemplify the successful integration of diverse leadership within the league. Furthermore, the openness of MLS to global influences—in hiring coaches from various cultural backgrounds, such as Gerardo Martino—broadens the horizons of coaching philosophies and strengthens the overall quality of the league. The proactive leadership in MLS further bolsters a commitment to diversity.
Cultural Differences Affecting Inclusion
England’s deep-rooted traditions and systemic resistance to change hinder progress toward a more inclusive coaching environment. This attitude often manifests in a reluctance to implement stricter regulations that could foster diversity, while the USA’s relatively nascent soccer culture has embraced diversity as a strategic advantage. As long as the EPL refrains from enforcing accountability measures within its coaching ranks, it will lag behind MLS in terms of representation and inclusivity, sidelining talented individuals like Campbell and many others.
For further insights on diversity in football, refer to the official UEFA report on coaching diversity here.
