Brendon Batson, the Professional Football Association’s Deputy Chief Executive, is aiming to get more managers from minority backgrounds into management, the Mirror reports.

In the Premier League, Chris Hughton of Norwich City is the only black manager, while there are only two more in the Football League - Charlton’s Chris Powell and Keith Curle of Notts County.

Batson was joined by England Manager Roy Hodgson at St George’s Park who gave a pep talk to 44 aspiring coaches from black and Asian backgrounds.

In order to change the current state of affairs, coaches will be given bursaries to help them achieve the relevant coaching qualifications.

This bursary programme is run by all the leading bodies within the game including the FA, the Premier League, the Football League, the LMA and the PFA.

Batson highlighted the problem: “At the moment we’ve got just one in the top flight in terms of ­managerial ­positions. The figures don’t lie. But football has ­recognised that. And this is an opportunity to do ­something about it.”

It has led to suggestions that the game could benefit from the Rooney rule, named after Pittsburgh Steelers’ Owner Dan Rooney in America’s NFL.  This requires all teams to interview at least one candidate from either a black or ethnic minority background as part of their recruitment process.

But the different employment laws in the UK would mean that a successful implementation of a similar ruling would be unlikely, though the financial backing given to these coaches will allow them to apply for prominent positions within football and help remove the so-called glass ceiling.

One coach, Marlese Levermore, said: “I’ve been in the women’s game for 13 years and, in terms of minorities, they are starting to turn it around because they have seen there is a need. The game is crying out for a more diverse approach and the FA is adapting.”

Batson ended by describing the tough task ahead, but believes this is the correct first step.

“We are not fooling ourselves that this is a silver bullet, but what we are saying is that it’s a start,” he commented.

He also urged coaches to go for any opportunity: "Now, put yourself forward and try to challenge for that position.”

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