Skip to main content
Regional secretary with the National Education Union
Black coaches are rare in football. Is this because of a lack of diversity in the boardroom?
Former England international football player Ricky Hill poses for a photograph in Luton, England, March 20, 2024

RICKY HILL packed his bags and prepared to uproot his life again. Next stop: Chicago. The former England international football player is accustomed to making sacrifices and travelling far to build his coaching career, an effort he says has been stymied because he is black.

“It is something that I hate to do because home is where the heart is,” Hill said of leaving behind his wife of 38 years and his 99-year-old mother to chase a rare management opportunity.

Racism has long permeated the world’s most popular sport, with players subjected to racist chants and taunts online. While football governing bodies such as Fifa and Uefa have taken steps to combat the abuse of players, the lack of diversity in the upper ranks at major clubs remains an unsolved problem.

The 95th Anniversary Appeal
Support the Morning Star
You have reached the free limit.
Subscribe to continue reading.
More from this author
Many seats are empty as teams warm up before the Club World Cup group F soccer match between Ulsan HD and Mamelodi Sundowns in Orlando, June 17, 2025
Men’s football / 22 June 2025
22 June 2025
Paris Saint-Germain celebrate with the trophy after winning the UEFA Champions League final at the Munich Football Arena, Munich, Germany, May 31, 2025
Men’s Football / 1 June 2025
1 June 2025

JAMES ROBSON writes how, as impressive as the club’s victory was, this is a team that is yet to reach its peak

Liverpool's Luis Diaz (right) celebrates scoring their side'
Men’s Football / 2 January 2025
2 January 2025
Similar stories
General view of a corner flag inside the ground ahead of the
Football / 26 November 2024
26 November 2024
New strategy comes after governing body told it needs to ‘work a lot harder’ on inclusivity
Newly appointed England head coach Thomas Tuchel during a pr
Men's football / 18 October 2024
18 October 2024
Liverpool's Arne Slot during the pre-season friendly match a
Men’s Football / 23 August 2024
23 August 2024
JAMES NALTON writes how Liverpool’s post-Klopp era hits home as new Dutch manager prepares to take charge of his first competitive home game