Female Premier League manager by 2022

[davieG]

BBC

Former Northern Ireland boss Lawrie Sanchez says he believes there will be a female manager in the Premier League within the next decade.

Barnet manager Sanchez told the BBC: "Whatever is said at the top level, we're in an entertainment business.

"Someone, somewhere will appoint a female manager," he said in a programme to be broadcast on Wednesday.

West Ham vice-chairman Karren Brady said: "[sexism] is one of the hardest things to change in any organisation."

Sanchez was speaking in a documentary entitled 'Sexism in Football?', which will be broadcast on Wednesday at 2245 BST on BBC One.

"I have a bet going with a mate that there will be a female Premier League manager within 10 years because whatever is said at the top level, we're in an entertainment business," he said.

"Whether [she is appointed] because she's the best person out there or because of the commercial aspect that comes with it, the reason will be that it is the best situation for the club."

Brady, who became the first female managing director of a Football League club aged just 23 when she took charge at Birmingham in 1993, added: "It really comes down to culture.

"It only comes from change right at the very top where people really fundamentally, honestly and passionately believe that things need to be changed - not just what do we look like."

Football's male-orientated environment has arguably shown some signs of change in recent times.

Uefa appointed Karen Espelund to its committee and the Norwegian is now considered one of the most powerful women in world football.

There are also a growing number of female assistant referees, including Sian Massey,while the Football Association appointed Heather Rabbatts, formerly executive deputy chair at Millwall, as its director last year.

Rabbatts said: "It is a man's game, but in terms of what goes on around the support of those players can it be more diverse and inclusive? Yes it can.

"We've moved a long way from those few lone black players in terms of the diversity of race we see on the pitch which I think is absolutely brilliant.

"Now can we get some diversity around what happens in football, which particularly includes and represents women?"

'Sexism in Football?' is on BBC 1 on Wednesday, 4 April at 2245 BST

Gabby Logan

BBC Sport presenter

"The sport has been so male-dominated for so long that you're going to get people who are going to have to break ground and encounter things for the first time. There is still a long way to go but things are changing for the better and the rate of that change will grow quicker because barriers are constantly being broken down and women should be judged on merit."

[Darkon84]

He's probably right, with the way this country is going at the moment about being all super-pc and 'equal rights', someone, somewhere will appoint a female manager, not because she is best for the job, but because they are effectively forced to.

In fact, it will probably a be a black, disabled, gay, female manager.

[purpleronnie]

He's probably right, with the way this country is going at the moment about being all super-pc and 'equal rights', someone, somewhere will appoint a female manager, not because she is best for the job, but because they are effectively forced to.

In fact, it will probably a be a black, disabled, gay, female manager.

Blimey.

[OriginalRobboFOX]

Not if Mike Newell and Richard Keys have their way....

[Dan]

Blimey.

He's not wrong though is he? Maybe disabled won't happen, but it's true.

I cannot stand all this bullshit, like forcing clubs to appoint black managers, if they're good enough, it will happen. The current crop of managers didn't have a huge number of black players with them, in 20 years there will be plenty of black managers and I'll have no complaints, just as long as it's not forced.

You generally find these pro-equality appear to be anything but. Giving bias to a minority or whatever is not equal, it's the total opposite.

Women football managers? Sanchez probably isn't far wrong. Would be a controversial move but I wouldn't be surprised by it.

[Guest Bilo]

Hope Powell, current England womens' boss, came close to taking over Grimsby Town a season or two ago so it's not a million miles away.

Football isn't and shouldn't be completely separate from the rest of reality so it'll happen sooner or later.

[purpleronnie]

He's not wrong though is he? Maybe disabled won't happen, but it's true.

I cannot stand all this bullshit, like forcing clubs to appoint black managers, if they're good enough, it will happen. The current crop of managers didn't have a huge number of black players with them, in 20 years there will be plenty of black managers and I'll have no complaints, just as long as it's not forced.

You generally find these pro-equality appear to be anything but. Giving bias to a minority or whatever is not equal, it's the total opposite.

Women football managers? Sanchez probably isn't far wrong. Would be a controversial move but I wouldn't be surprised by it.

which teams were forced to have a black manager?

[Guest]

I cannot stand all this bullshit, like forcing clubs to appoint black managers, if they're good enough, it will happen. The current crop of managers didn't have a huge number of black players with them, in 20 years there will be plenty of black managers and I'll have no complaints, just as long as it's not forced.

Who's forcing clubs to hire black managers?

If you're talking about the proposed introduction of the Rooney rule from the NFL it's to do with ensuring prospective black managers have the opportunity to interview for a role, not stating that they must then be hired.

[Darkon84]

Blimey.

Ah so you took the second part literally, well done. That was a tongue in cheek remark about how PC the world is now and was a a clear over-exaggeration.

I still stick to the first part.

And I'm not saying any teams have been forced to have a black manager, but the constant moaning about how thre arent enough black managers, and how the FA need to try and get more black managers and coaches in the game is proof of the over the top equality or PC line that they take.....End of the day, if there were black guys or ex players that are qualified enough, good enough, and more importantly, WANT to do it, then we would see more of them in the football league.

EDIT: sorry, after re-reading I see the bit about forced black managers wasnt aimed at me.

[Simo86]

I can't see it happening myself but you never know. Maybe in the FL but it will be later than 2022 for them to be in the PL in my opinion

[purpleronnie]

Ah so you took the second part literally, well done. That was a tongue in cheek remark about how PC the world is now and was a a clear over-exaggeration.

I still stick to the first part.

And I'm not saying any teams have been forced to have a black manager, but the constant moaning about how thre arent enough black managers, and how the FA need to try and get more black managers and coaches in the game is proof of the over the top equality or PC line that they take.....End of the day, if there were black guys or ex players that are qualified enough, good enough, and more importantly, WANT to do it, then we would see more of them in the football league.

EDIT: sorry, after re-reading I see the bit about forced black managers wasnt aimed at me.

Ah so you took the second part literally, well done. That was a tongue in cheek remark about how PC the world is now and was a a clear over-exaggeration.

I still stick to the first part.

And I'm not saying any teams have been forced to have a black manager, but the constant moaning about how thre arent enough black managers, and how the FA need to try and get more black managers and coaches in the game is proof of the over the top equality or PC line that they take.....End of the day, if there were black guys or ex players that are qualified enough, good enough, and more importantly, WANT to do it, then we would see more of them in the football league.

EDIT: sorry, after re-reading I see the bit about forced black managers wasnt aimed at me.

The remark 'blimey' was referring to your whole 'point'.

Although I do find it amusing you thought otherwise.

[Darkon84]

The remark 'blimey' was referring to your whole 'point'.

Although I do find it amusing you thought otherwise.

fair enough, at least you put forward your own view and point very well.

You seriously can't even imagine it happening in a way to keep things PC in the years to come? Or something along those lines at least.

[purpleronnie]

fair enough,

You seriously can't even imagine it happening in a way to keep things PC in the years to come? Or something along those lines at least.

Maybe, but I don't see why it would have to be on the back of some PC agenda.

[Darkon84]

Maybe, but I don't see why it would have to be on the back of some PC agenda.

10 years may well be a long time, so things can change, but in the forseeable future, I can't see any other way that there could possibly be a female manager in the Prem, or even the Championship for that matter.

If you can show me a female manager who you think would be able to step up to the prem in the coming years, I am all ears and I will humbly accept it. As it stands though, the cloest we have is Hope Powell (who has done a tremendous job, may I add), and she couldn't even land the Grimsby job.

[purpleronnie]

Do you honestly believe that the FA or whoever you think is putting pressure on clubs will force a premiership team to have a female manager? The premiership clubs have all the power they will pick whoever they think can do the best job whether thats a male, female, black, white person.

I still not sure why you think there is a hidden PC agenda when it comes to appointing managers, wheres the proof?

[MrSpaM]

If they are professional about it and know what they are doing, why not?

[AyewJoking]

Cant see this happening.

[Corky]

If they are professional about it and know what they are doing, why not?

Correct.

[Webbo]

To be a successful manager you need the respect of the players and unless you've played the game to a decent standard that's unlikely.

It might happen as a publicity stunt but I can't see it being a success.

[Stevosevic]

No chance.

[Guest]

Should be possible but it isn't going to happen.

There are no female managers in any of the pro leagues in england and I don't know of any in european/World male football pro leagues.

Even local soccer teams rarely see ladies as managers.

There should be a breakthrough from grass roots level and the increasing popularity and skill of women's football worldwide may have that happen.

I can see the states having the first women manager but I can't see it happening in the prem in 10 or even 20 years.

[ozleicester]

To be a successful manager you need the respect of the players and unless you've played the game to a decent standard that's unlikely.

It might happen as a publicity stunt but I can't see it being a success.

Arsene wenger?

[Guest]

Arsene wenger?

He may be French but he's definitely a guy.

[ozleicester]

He may be French but he's definitely a guy.

i was referring to the need of a manager to have played at a high level... dont thibk he ever played professionally?

[James.]

I love how people immediately get irate and start talking about clubs being forced to hire black managers or women, banging their anti-PC drum, when absolutely nothing in the original post gave any indication that anyone was going to be "forced" to do anything.