Powell to assist Southgate as England announce BAME placements
Former England international Chris Powell has managed Charlton, Huddersfield and Southend
Written by Simon Austin — September 2, 2019
FORMER Charlton and Southend manager Chris Powell has joined Gareth’s Southgate’s coaching staff until Euro 2020 as part of the Football Association’s BAME placement scheme.
The Elite Coach Placement Programme was launched last October and saw Paul Nevin placed with the senior men’s team and Terry Connor and Sol Campbell with the Under-21s.
The scheme has now been expanded and aims to ensure two things: 1) that the diversity of coaching staff better reflects the backgrounds of the players, and 2) that the "talent pipeline" of BAME coaches working at the top of the game continues to grow.
The placements for 2019/20 are:
- Former England international Chris Powell to work with the senior men's team.
- Guyana Head Coach Michael Johnson to assist Aidy Boothroyd with the U21s.
- Charlton U23 coach Jason Euell to work alongside Keith Downing at U20 level.
- Former Grimsby manager Marcus Bignot to assist newly-appointed U18 head coach Ian Foster.
- Watford U23s assistant - and former Leyton Orient manager - Omer Riza to work with Justin Cochrane’s U16s.
- Derby Development Phase Lead Matthew Thorpe to assist Lee Skyrme’s U15s.
Further placements will be confirmed later in the season, the FA said.
Technical Director Les Reed said: “We’re pleased to be able to roll out the next phase of this scheme in partnership with the PFA. We gathered some useful feedback from coaches who have worked with our men’s teams as part of this scheme over the past year and that has allowed us to further develop this programme to ensure it continues to be mutually beneficial to all parties.
“The PFA has helped us to recruit a talented group of coaches who will now bring their various experiences and skillsets to the England men’s player pathway for the full season ahead.”
PFA Chief Executive Gordon Taylor added: “We are delighted to see Chris Powell and Michael Johnson in prominent England international coaching roles, they will both bring invaluable experience and insight to the respective squads.
“This joint initiative aims to give the best visibility possible to further the progression of elite BAME coaches currently working within the game and to help inspire the next generation of BAME coaches."
As TGG reported last week, three of the seven head coaches of the England men’s age group teams are from a BAME background.
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