FA renew BAME representation pledge for Euro 2024 despite Chris Powell uncertainty

The Football Association is set to renew its commitment to have BAME (Black and Minority Ethnic) representation in England’s backroom squad for its Euro 2024 campaign.

Nevertheless, sports mail understands that the position of highly respected assistant coach Chris Powell, who has been an integral part of the senior setup since 2019, is uncertain heading into the European Championships.

Under the FA and PFA’s Elite Coaching Placement Program (ECCP), launched in 2018, England teams at all levels commit to providing opportunities for BAME individuals, with a view to increasing diversity across the board. high level.

The FA is ready to renew its commitment to have BAME (Black and Minority Ethnic) representation in England’s coaching staff for the 2024 European Championship tournament.

Sportsmail understands that the position of respected manager Chris Powell (R) is uncertain

At senior level, former England international Powell was one of the first beneficiaries of the project after he was appointed to Gareth Southgate’s coaching staff in 2019.

Powell’s initial contract with the England team ran through Euro 2020, but Southgate was so impressed with the 53-year-old that his contract was extended until the end of last year’s World Cup.

However, with England resuming action in less than two months, Powell is yet to be offered a contract renewal by the FA, with talks of a potential switch ongoing.

The former Charlton and Huddersfield manager, who is now Tottenham’s academy head coach, has played a key role under Southgate during the previous two major tournaments, both of which have been seen as relative successes.

Powell’s contract ran out after the World Cup in Qatar in winter 2022 and has not yet been renewed

But the FA is currently reviewing managerial positions under the ECPP initiative, with the governing body considering its options.

It is recognized that the senior team could benefit from continuing to retain Powell, given his influence on what has been a successful backroom team.

However, the original principles of the ECPP were to give BAME coaches the opportunity to train at the highest level and extending Powell’s tenure to a third major tournament may run counter to the essence of the project.

Powell’s presence within the England setup is seen as a great success by Southgate and the FA.

In August, English soccer’s governing body confirmed the roles of former professionals Gifton Noel-Williams, Jamal Campbell-Ryce (above) and Quinton Fortune in its development teams.

The appointments were the third intake of trainers into the Elite Trainer Placement Program

His coaching skills have been key during the sessions, but it has also been invaluable to have black representation on the coaching staff.

Powell’s presence was particularly prominent on nights in Bulgaria in June 2020 and Hungary in September 2021, when England’s black players were targeted for racial abuse, but it now remains to be seen whether his time within England will be extended.

In August, the FA confirmed managerial roles for Gifton Noel-Williams, Jamal Campbell-Ryce and Quinton Fortune in their development teams, as part of the EECP programme.

The appointments were the third innings of managers in the EECP with the likes of Powell, Paul Nevin, Michael Johnson, Jason Euell and Omer Riza working with England teams. In fact, Nevin is now a full-time member of the Southgate coaching staff.