From the Guardian · Tusdiq Din · · 1m 20s
Kazim-Richards challenges glass ceiling at Crawley
Black football coach Colin Kazim-Richards aims to break League Two's glass ceiling with Crawley Town.
In brief
Black football coach Colin Kazim-Richards aims to break League Two's glass ceiling with Crawley Town. Colin Kazim-Richards, a black football coach, aims to lift Crawley Town from League Two's bottom after becoming the third black head coach in England's top four tiers. Originally reported by the Guardian.
Kazim-Richards and Gray on new standards
Crawley’s manager Colin Kazim-Richards and assistant Julian Gray say they are implementing a new standard within the club, not just the football side.
“implementing a new standard within the club, and not just the football side”
Kazim-Richards on team transformation
Kazim-Richards says 16 new players, eight to nine debuts, and changing player mentality will take time to show results.
“we’ve got 16 new players, eight nine debuts and different connections”
Kazim-Richards and Gray’s Arsenal roots
Kazim-Richards and Gray both came through Arsenal’s academy, with Gray making one first-team appearance.
“gray was part of the first-team squad from 1996 to 2000, making a single appearance”
Kazim-Richards on black coaches
Kazim-Richards says there’s a glass ceiling for black coaches but many are doing well in non-league football.
“there’s a lot of black coaches who are good and deserve an opportunity”
Kazim-Richards on Jermain Defoe
Kazim-Richards notes Jermain Defoe’s short tenure at Woking but says white managers fail too.
“kazim-richards knows defoe, the two did their coaching badges together, and feels the wrong conclusions could be drawn from that episode”
Kazim-Richards’ long-term vision
Kazim-Richards aims to take Crawley to the Championship within a few years, not overnight.
“short-term it’s about getting results, and then being able to get us up there”
Kazim-Richards on time needed
Kazim-Richards says it will take time to build a new club culture and achieve Championship promotion.
“i see this as the start of the journey, but i believe we can go far and achieve those objectives”
Kazim-Richards’ glass ceiling challenge
Kazim-Richards calls for more opportunities for black coaches in English football.
“is there still a glass ceiling? of course”
The takeaway
Colin Kazim-Richards, a black football coach, aims to lift Crawley Town from League Two's bottom after becoming the third black head coach in England's top four tiers.
