QPR manager Chris Ramsey believes he'll find it tough to get another job if he's sacked because he's a black manager

Ramsey feels the competition among top level managers combined with racial prejudice mean who could face a long spell away from the game if QPR sack him

Tom Allnutt
Thursday 02 April 2015 18:40 BST
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QPR manager Chris Ramsey
QPR manager Chris Ramsey (Getty Images)

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QPR manager Chris Ramsey admits both competition and racial prejudice will make it very difficult for him to get another manager's job if he is sacked at Loftus Road this summer.

Ramsey, who is currently the only black manager in the Barclays Premier League, has overseen five consecutive defeats since he was appointed Harry Redknapp's permanent successor in February.

Former England winger John Barnes complained this week that black managers do not get as many second chances in coaching and Ramsey agrees he will struggle if let go by Rangers at the end of the campaign.

"If it doesn't work out for me here, any manager of any race is always in a position where it's difficult to get another job," Ramsey said.

"When you get sacked you don't always walk straight into another job.

"When I left Tottenham, I was seven months out of a job.

"That's always difficult as a manager and as a black man, I think it's always difficult anyway.

"I don't think it will be solely based on my ethnicity whether I get a job or not.

"The problems I've had in the past are still going to be there and the problems of managers getting jobs are also going to be there. It's two separate issues really."

QPR director of football Les Ferdinand, who recommended Ramsey's appointment to chairman Tony Fernandes, claimed last month that "covert racism" remains rife in the English game.

Ramsey will remain in charge of QPR until the end of the season
Ramsey will remain in charge of QPR until the end of the season (Getty Images)

Ferdinand also called for the implementation of a law similar to America's 'Rooney Rule', which ensures National Football League coaches from minority backgrounds are interviewed for available jobs.

"There maybe needs to be more awareness in the game of different factors that affect why people get jobs or not," Ramsey said.

"Just because I'm sitting here I'm not now going to change my views of many, many years.

"The fact we're still highlighting that I'm the only black Premier League manager shows it's not the norm to have people from ethnic minorities in this position.

"Until that becomes normal and it's not highlighted in such a spectacular fashion, that racism will be evident.

Ferdinand believes there remains a 'covert racism' in football
Ferdinand believes there remains a 'covert racism' in football (Getty Images)

"It's been no secret, I've said that in the past. I'm in a very fortunate position to be manager of QPR but I'm not here as a token gesture, I've earned my stripes to be in this position.

"There are others who are more talented, or better suited from a profile point of view - there are people who should have had jobs of this magnitude.

"It shows there is covert racism in the game."

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