West Brom have been savaged by former England international Paul Ince over their sacking of Darren Moore as he asks serious questions of how ethnic minorities are expected to progress as coaches and managers in English football.
The Baggies ended Moore’s time as manager after a 1-1 draw with basement club Ipswich town,a result which left the club sitting fourth in the Championship table.
Speaking out about the lack of diversity in the dugout, Ince has gone to town on the West Brom decision makers, insisting that it makes a worrying statement about the future of young BAME coaches hoping to make their way in the game.
He told the Mirror: “I’m trying to control my anger over what happened to Darren. I’m livid. They’ve been top of the table for a short while and, OK, they were in fourth spot when he was sacked but they will still get into the play-offs. Surely that’s success?
“What message does it send out? And what message does it say to aspiring black coaches and managers? I see the same tired faces getting the same jobs. And all I see being put in front of any BAME managers are hurdles and knock-backs. English football says it is serious about sorting out this diversity problem. But is it?
“Like I say, I just keep seeing hurdles. I want to believe there aren’t any. But when you see what went on at West Brom, I’ve got to ask myself a question. It leaves a bad taste in the mouth. I see a lot of aspiring black coaches, but it is becoming increasingly difficult to sell the career to them when they see what has happened to Darren.”
Opinion
Regardless of the colour of his skin, Moore’s sacking seemed an unjust one to those in the stands at both the Hawthorns and at rival grounds. Keeping the Baggies in the title race for so long was an impressive achievement and it seems his work will see the club finish in the play off spots quite comfortably. The Championship is a fiercely contested division and there are no easy games, so considering the level of quality that West Brom have faced at the top of the table, with the likes of Leeds United and Norwich City leading the way, being in the fight should be considered a success. Only those in the decision making process will know the politics behind Moore’s sacking but it is a risky move so late in the season. Will the new man in charge be able to continue the progress that Moore was making in the dugout? Only time will tell.