Yaya Toure has bemoaned the lack of black managers in the Premier League following the sacking of Patrick Vieira.
Crystal Palace dismissed Vieira following the club's winless run in the league, meaning there are currently no black managers in England's top flight.
The lack of diversity in one of the biggest leagues in world football has been slammed by former Manchester City midfielder Toure.
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Speaking to reporters at The Football Black List awards, he said: "When you see a league where we have about 50 per cent of black players but then managers/coaches are just 1-2 per cent, that’s obvious it’s something we need to think about.
"We’ve been talking about diversity a lot but now the action needs to be followed. Of course we have to show the desire and work hard to get us through it but at the moment it’s really difficult."
Former West Ham defender Anton Ferdinand reckons having more black people in high-profile positions would inspire others to follow in their footsteps.
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"I think it’s very important to recognise the work ethnic minorities are doing in football, but more importantly for young, aspiring people who want to be successful in football are in a room full of people who have been successful," he said.
"From my own personal experience of having a brother who was successful, because I was able to see him and speak to him, it gave me the belief that I could do it."
Ferdinand added: "So, in this room today, the next generation of people that are coming up, whatever it is they want to do, on the pitch or off the pitch, it’s inspirational. That goes hand in hand with the celebration of our community and it’s why this event is so powerful."
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The England national team recently appointed Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink as a coach in a move which was partially motived by the FA's commitment to diversity.
What more can be done to improve diversity in the Premier League? Let us know.
Featured Image Credit: Sky Sports/AlamyTopics: Yaya Toure, Football