Technical advisor of the Black Stars Chris Hughton says that there is the need for persons at the helm of decision making to change their minds about black coaches  if the game it to have a lot at the elite level.

In 1979, Hughton became the first mixed-race player to represent the Republic of Ireland, amassing 53 caps for the country of his mother’s birth. His father is Ghanaian.

Hughton is a pioneer of Black coaches in the English football having coached Newcastle United, Norwich City and Brighton and Hove Albion all in the English Premier League.

There are a lot of black players plying their trade in English football and other major league in Europe but when they retire the black players who go into coaching are left hanging as they are rarely considered for coaching roles compared to their white colleagues.

The former Newcastle United manager says that the black community has given him a lot of inspiration since taking the lonely path of coaching by a blackman in the elite division in England.

During an interview with his daughter Aisha, for the popular Best of Africa Series, the affable Hughton spoke of his appreciation for the black community’s support. He said: “I get a lot of inspiration from the black community. We know that there is a void when it comes to black managers and coaches at the highest level.

“I get involved in a lot of conversations with potential coaches, especially black and ethnic coaches and am always willing to give them that time.”

Asked what needs to be done to improve the numbers of black coaches within the elite game he added: “There’s no doubt that at grassroots level and academy levels things have increased.

“There still needs to be more opportunities given. Until those that want to ply their trade at the highest level are given opportunity by those within the game things won’t change.

“It is down to the game’s stakeholders that influence our game. They are the ones that make the decisions. Until their thinking changes, then the numbers will not change.”

The former left-back spent most of his professional playing career at Tottenham Hotspur between 1979 and 1990 – winning the FA Cup twice and the UEFA Cup.

Since moving on from Nottingham Forest last September, Hughton has taken up a role with the Ghana Football Association as technical advisor and was present as the Black Stars qualified for this winter’s World Cup in Qatar having beaten Nigeria in a recent two-legged play-off.