Gordon Taylor: 'Hidden racism blighting English football'

Gordon Taylor has warned that institutional racism is preventing black coaches from being considered for jobs in English football.

The PFA boss is incensed that a string of highly-qualified former players have given up applying for jobs because they fear discrimination due to their skin colour.

"It should be based on merit. I know these black players have got merit as players and they've got merit as coaches," The Mirror quotes him as saying.

"I can give you a list of black players who've become coaches, who've got their [UEFA] A Licence and B Licence, who've gone all the way up the ranks and got the Pro Licence and aren't getting opportunities.

"I know for a fact they've got that merit but there is a hidden racism that seems to hold clubs back."

Taylor is an advocate of the 'Rooney Rule', a regulation that would require chairmen to include at least one non-white candidate on their shortlist when interviewing for managerial roles.

Chris Powell of Huddersfield Town and Keith Curle at Carlisle United are currently the only non-white managers in English football.