Jermain Defoe, a top 10 all-time scorer in the Premier League and former England World Cup player, has shared his dreams of moving into management. However, he insists that he wants to earn this position because of his skills, not just because he is black. The ex-West Ham and Tottenham striker recognises that management can be a tough game, but all he asks for is a fair shot.
Defoe says: «I like to think doors are opening. There's been changes, there's been managers recently who have had jobs and lost jobs, which is part and parcel. You're never going to be a manager that never loses his job at some point.»
He adds: «You're going to get sacked, that's just facts. Every manager gets sacked, it doesn't matter how good you are. But I like to think that I will get a chance.»
Defoe also acknowledges the lack of diversity in management, saying: «I don't think the numbers are great, in terms of black managers. There could be more, a lot more.
»When I've spoken to players that have finished playing, players that I've played with, and they've spoken about their journey and the struggles they've had, I start to think 'well, if you've had those struggles then I'm probably going to get the same struggles'.
«But I understand everyone's journey is different, and I don't want a job just because I'm black… you want a job because you're good enough.»
«The numbers could be better, everyone knows that, numbers don't lie. But I like to think that at some stage I'll get a chance.»
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