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

The Football Association are set to renew their commitment of having BAME (black and minority ethnic) representation on England’s backroom team for their Euro 2024 campaign.

However, Sportsmail understands the position of highly respected assistant coach Chris Powell, who has been an integral part of the senior set-up since 2019, is uncertain heading into the European Championships.

Under the FA and PFA’s Elite Coaching Placement Programme (ECCP), launched in 2018, England teams across all levels are committed to offering opportunities to BAME individuals, with a view to increasing diversity throughout top level football.

But Sportsmail understands the position of highly respected coach Chris Powell is uncertain

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

Powell’s initial contract with the England side was due to run until Euro 2020, but Southgate was so impressed with the 53-year-old that his deal was extended until the end of last year’s World Cup.

However, with England to resume action in under two months, the FA are still to offer Powell a contract renewal, with talks over a potential change ongoing.

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

Powell’s contract ran out after the Qatar World Cup in winter 2022 and is yet to be renewed

But the FA are currently reviewing the coaching positions within the ECPP initiative, with the governing body considering their options.

There is an acknowledgement that the senior team could benefit from the continuity of retaining Powell, given his influence in what has been a successful backroom team.

However, the original principles of the ECPP was to provide BAME coaches with an opportunity to coach at the highest level and extending Powell’s tenure into a third major tournament may contravene the essence of the project.

Powell’s presence within the England set-up is viewed as a major success by Southgate and the FA. 

In August, English football’s governing body confirmed roles for former pros Gifton Noel-Williams, Jamal Campbell-Ryce (above) and Quinton Fortune across their development teams

Appointments were the third intake of coaches on the Elite Coaching Placement Programme

His coaching abilities have been key during sessions, but there has also been significant value in having black representation on the coaching team.

Powell’s presence was particularly important on nights in Bulgaria in June 2020 and Hungary in September 2021 when England’s black players were targeted with racial abuse – but it now remains to be seen whether his time within the England set-up will be extended.

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

The appointments were the third intake of coaches on the EECP with the likes of Powell, Paul Nevin, Michael Johnson, Jason Euell and Omer Riza working with England teams. Indeed, Nevin is now a full-time member of Southgate’s coaching team.