Les Ferdinand Discusses Criticism and Lack of Opportunities in Football
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Queens Park Rangers' Director of Football Les Ferdinand poses at Imperial College Sports Ground, the club's training ground in Harlington, Hayes, west of London, on October 15, 2021. - Racism could be eradicated from football if the authorities cared enough, Les Ferdinand, the former Newcastle and England forward and now director of football at London club QPR, has told AFP. The 54-year-old affectionately known as "Sir Les" was one of the most feared marksmen in his days at Queens Park Rangers, Newcastle and Tottenham -- and endured years of racial abuse from supporters. - TO GO WITH AFP STORY BY PIRATE IRWIN (Photo by ADRIAN DENNIS / AFP) / TO GO WITH AFP STORY BY PIRATE IRWIN (Photo by ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP via Getty Images)
Les Ferdinand, the former Queens Park Rangers and England striker, recently shared his experiences and thoughts on the challenges he faced during his tenure as QPR’s director of football. He believes that some of the criticism he encountered was because of his race, emphasizing the disparities in opportunities for black individuals in men’s football.
Ferdinand’s statements were made during an episode of Kammy and Ben’s Proper Football Podcast. He expressed, “Some of the criticism that came was because of my colour. I always say to people, ‘If I was a bad director of football, it wasn’t because of my colour. It was just, I was a bad director of football. If I was a good one, it wasn’t going to be because of my colour. It was because of my abilities.'”
He further addressed the expectations placed on him due to being one of the few directors of football of color in the league, saying, “Why are you labeling me just because I’m the only director of football of color in the league that I have to be successful?”
A report by the Black Footballers Partnership earlier this year found that only 4.4% of black employees held management-related positions within football organizations. This stark underrepresentation highlights the systemic issues faced by black individuals in football.
Les Ferdinand’s tenure as QPR’s director of football lasted eight years, and he described it as a period where he felt like a “trailblazer.” Despite his love for the role, he acknowledged that the environment became “toxic” towards the end of his tenure.
Ferdinand also highlighted the disparity in opportunities between black individuals and their white counterparts in similar roles. He pointed out that while some directors of football and managers had gone from job to job, regardless of their success, black peers did not have the same luxury. This inconsistency in hiring and retention practices underscores the lack of equal opportunities in football management.
Ferdinand attributes the scarcity of black managers and directors of football in England to a “lack of opportunity.” He mentioned his involvement in an organization advocating for black players and stressed that there are numerous black players seeking opportunities, but very few are granted the chance to prove themselves in management positions.
In his football career, Les Ferdinand played for top-flight clubs such as Queens Park Rangers, Newcastle, and Tottenham, amassing 400 appearances and scoring 169 goals. He also represented the England national team, earning 17 caps and scoring five goals.
Ferdinand’s critique of the Football Association’s football leadership diversity code, which he believes has made “no difference whatsoever” in improving employment prospects for black players and managers, further underscores the need for significant change in football’s approach to diversity and inclusion.
The issues raised by Ferdinand shed light on the challenges faced by black individuals in football and emphasize the urgency of addressing inequality in the sport.
