Jermain Defoe has asked 'what's the point' of pursuing a career in management after witnessing a bunch of other black ex-players being denied opportunities.
Since hanging up the boots last year, the former West Ham and Sunderland striker has started to begin his transition from the pitch to the dugout, eventually being appointed under-18s coach at his old club Tottenham in August.
It's understood the retired England international is currently his UEFA A licence and Pro licences, with the hopes of becoming a full-time football manager in the future.
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But Defoe admits that seeing a number of black former footballers struggle to get opportunities as coaches has taken the wind out of his sails.
Ultimately, it has made him question whether he wants to pursue it altogether.
“I’m obviously making the transition,” Defoe said on his Outside the Box Podcast.
“But I see people like Les [Ferdinand], John Barnes, Andy Cole, Sol [Campbell], Dwight Yorke.
“If these players aren’t being given the opportunity, what’s the point in me going down this avenue, or doing my coaching badges? Why am I wasting my time?”
Troy Townsend, who is the head of player engagement at Kick It Out, was a guest on Defoe's podcast.
Speaking on the matter, he said: “There’s a blockage in the system for black managers. How Keith Curle has managed to keep going is unbelievable.
“I often revert it back to the way our players get spoken about. It’s always 'the big lad at the back' and 'the fast lad up front'. We’re never seen as the leader or the inspiration.
“Take the language of commentators - power and pace is used to describe us.
“And that transitions into people not believing our talents can transition into coaching and managerial environments.
“So already we start down the rung. We can’t have longevity.
“People don’t trust black or brown coaches to be able to look after their squads or to talk in the manner of a leader.”
As it stands, following Patrick Viera's sacking at Crystal Palace, there are currently no black managers in the Premier League.
"I believe we are in a better place but it does not move quick enough," Vieira told ITV last month.
"We should be talking about creating opportunities for black ex-players and players who want to be a manager.
"We are late in our approach and mindset to treat everybody the same."
He added: "I may be a little bit naive but I hope that the mind of people making those decisions will be a bit more open and they will be giving more opportunities to minorities to show what they are capable to doing.
"I think the decision has to be made and based on the quality of the person sitting in front of you, what can he bring to your football club? How can he take your club to a different level and what is his philosophy?
"That for me has to be the main question."
Topics: Football, Jermain Defoe, Premier League
Max Sherry