Lack of black bosses concerns DD

Former England striker Dion Dublin claims questions should be asked over the lack of black and ethnic minority managers in the Premier League.

The Professional Footballers' Association wants tougher penalties for racist abuse including making it potentially a sackable offence, culprits ordered to attend awareness programmes and the introduction of the 'Rooney rule' to boost the number of black coaches and managers.

The initiative proved a success in the United States, where it was brought in by the National Football League to make sure qualified black coaches are on interview lists for job vacancies.

Currently, Norwich boss Chris Hughton is the only black manager in the English top flight.

Dublin, 43, was at Carrow Road on Wednesday as part of the Capitol One Cup Trophy Tour and feels the recruitment process needs to be more transparent.

"The only arguments we have are there enough black and ethnic people applying for these jobs? If there are an equal amount of black and ethnic people applying for these jobs as there are white people, then there is a problem," Dublin said on behalf of Capital One, the credit card company and new sponsors of the League Cup.

"There must be a problem in the decision-making process upstairs somewhere if there are equal amounts applying.

"At the moment, we don't know those stats. If there are equal amounts, then there is a race problem somewhere, but we don't know that, so it is just hearsay - there might only be five per cent of black people wanting those jobs.

"I think there is a lack of black people as managers and coaches.

"There are so many black and ethnic minority players that may have been good enough to have been managers - but have they applied for these jobs? We don't know.

"If they have and have not got them, then why? It is either they are not good enough, or there is a race issue."

After starting at Norwich as a youngster, but not making a first-team appearance, Dublin went on to play for Cambridge before a big-money move to Manchester United, with spells at Coventry, Aston Villa, Leicester and Celtic before finishing his career back with the Canaries, being named player of the season in 2008.

Dublin believes football has come a long way in moving to rid the game of racism, but feels recent events have shown there is still work to do, both on and off the pitch.

"We should all be in this together as one, but unfortunately of late, that has not been the case," he said.

"There has been segregation within the camp on the field, and segregation within the camp in the terracing, and it has been brought to light that at the moment, we are not one."