Black managers aren’t given the same opportunities afforded to white managers.
That's the viewpoint of Liverpool and England legend John Barnes.
The 59-year-old insists that his sacking at Celtic after only eight months in 2000 proves his theory.
Appearing on William Hill’s new podcast, Up Front with Simon Jordan, Barnes made the claims.
And Barnes pointed out that his record as Hoops boss some 20-years-ago was actually stronger than that of Steven Gerrard's at Rangers - which was regarded as a successful stint - in more recent years.
He said: “What would you say if I told you that I had a better win percentage than Steven Gerrard at Rangers? So, why wasn’t I given longer [at Celtic]?
“Apparently my 65 percent [win ratio at Celtic] is not great, but Steven Gerrard’s 64 [win ratio at Rangers] is great and that’s why he got the Aston Villa job. Regardless of experience and whether he should or shouldn’t have got the job, it’s amazing people say that’s not bad.
“I love Frank [Lampard] but do you really think with Frank Lampard’s record, that if he was black, he would have been given the same opportunities?”
It's fair to say that, as well as being known as the former owner of Crystal Palace, Jordan is renowned for the strongly opinionated views that he provides while appearing on talkSPORT every weekday morning.
But Barnes insists that a black person would not be accepted by society if they were of a similar ilk as Jordan in that regard.
"Black people have to have humility,” he said. “I don’t think there could be a black Simon Jordan because you’re too opinionated – if you were black, you would get slaughtered more than you get slaughtered now. Society would not accept a black Simon Jordan.
“You tell me that if [Barack] Obama had the character of [Donald] Trump he would have survived? White men are given longer and therefore leeway to be arrogant and be whatever they want. They are go-getters and if you’re black or female, you can’t be that way.
“In football terms, chairmen don’t sack managers, fans sack managers. Why are fans quicker to lose faith in black managers than white managers? It’s because of the perception of a black person’s ability to lead.”
