The Football League has announced it is to conduct a review into the under-representation of black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) managers and coaches.
BREAKING: Football League Chairman Greg Clarke to lead BAME managers & coaches review >> http://t.co/7MHfMfBs12
- The Football League (@football_league) October 9, 2014
Huddersfield's Chris Powell and Carlisle boss Keith Curle are presently the only two non-white managers in the English professional game.
This under-representation has been a source of debate for a number of years, and Professional Footballers' Association chief executive Gordon Taylor recently spoke of "a hidden racism which holds clubs back."
There have been calls from those within the game -- including QPR defender Rio Ferdinand -- to introduce an equivalent of the NFL's successful "Rooney Rule," whereby clubs would be compelled to interview at least one minority candidate for management posts.
The Football League has now discussed the matter and pledged to analyse the situation with a view to finding a solution.
A statement on the Football League's official website read: "At its meeting in London today, the board of directors of the Football League accepted a recommendation from its chairman, Greg Clarke, that he lead a review of all matters relating to the under-representation of black, Asian and minority ethnic managers and coaches at League clubs."
The League intends to consult widely during its review, for which terms of reference will be set at a next meeting on Nov. 6.
Member clubs, other leagues, the Football Association, PFA, League Managers Association, Football Supporters' Federation and Kick It Out are among the bodies that will be asked for input.
It is intended that a report and recommendations will be presented to clubs and published publicly at the end of the season.
Clarke said: "The current under-representation of BAME managers and coaches in the professional game is an important matter. We have consistently recognised the imbalance in representation at first-team manager level but have yet to see a comprehensive solution being proposed.
"It is a complex issue that needs a careful and thoughtful appraisal of the current situation in English professional football. This will include collecting and analysing data on BAME representation at all levels of the coach development pipeline, from opportunities for individuals to acquire their coaching qualifications through to appointments at first-team level.
"The Rooney Rule has been suggested by some as a potential way forward. However, until we have consulted fully with all parties we will remain open-minded about any potential solutions.
"The real challenge is to increase BAME representation at all levels of the coaching pipeline and to ensure that there is fair access to employment opportunities for everyone.
"To this end, the Football League is already actively participating in the FA chairman's England commission which is urgently seeking to address existing issues relating to coaching development, including BAME participation."