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Liverpool –
Juergen Klopp had many opportunities at Liverpool because he was said to be white. That’s an example of discrimination that Premier League clubs are reported to continue to use.
So said the former Liverpool player in the 1987-1997 era, John Barnes. The man, who is also black because of his Jamaican blood, accused Klopp of obtaining a ‘privilege’ by staying a long time in Liverpool because of his skin color.
For reference, Barnes mentioned Klopp’s results in his first two seasons coaching Liverpool. At the time, the German manager led Liverpool to finish only eighth and fourth in the Premier League.
Barnes claims that, with a result like that, then Klopp will be fired if he is black. This he did, also related to the racist comments made by Greg Clarke, the FA president who eventually resigned over his blunder.
“You can put the structure in place, but until you change your perception, nothing will change,” Barnes told PlayOJO, as reported by the Daily Mail.
“I use Klopp as an example. How successful was he in the first two years, in terms of being 25 points behind the leaders?”
“But we [Liverpool], you think you are the right person. In different circumstances, you would lose your job. If he were black, he would lose his job in those first two years, “he said.
Not just Liverpool, Barnes also gave an example from Chelsea. According to the man who has also defended the England team, the Blues are holding Frank Lampard because of his status as a club legend. Barnes is referring to the many England coaches who are fired immediately if they get into trouble.
“If she [Klopp] English, you will lose your job. This is where the idea of discrimination is a bit strange, because there is a group of people who are discriminated against in English football and at the highest level in the Premier League, ”he said.
“Now the top six teams will not have a white England manager. Yes, you can say Frank Lampard, as people say, but that’s because he has a special bond with Chelsea.”
“That is the only reason he has coached Chelsea but under different circumstances he would not have gotten the job,” said Barnes, who helped Liverpool win the first division twice while playing.
Barnes said the lack of coaches from the BAME (Black Asian and Minority Ethnics) circles was not the fault of British football. He said this was an impact of people’s thinking that still had a negative stigma against them.
“This has nothing to do with black soccer coaches. It’s a broader problem, because how many black coaches are there at the top of any industry? And why should soccer be any different?” he said.
“Until we address it in society, and change our perceptions in society, it will exist at all levels of society. And football is one of them,” he explained.
(then / aff)
