Cole believes it’s time the balance was *similarly redressed in this country.
The former England and Manchester United striker said: “How long have we all been talking about black players needing more ways into coaching and *management? Over a decade.
“Yet here we are in 2011 still debating it. I started doing my UEFA B three years ago. But I told myself last year that it just wasn’t worth it.
“So many good people have told me, ‘Coley, do it. Move on to the next one [coaching badge]’. And one minute I think, ‘Yes, you’re right. But then the next I think, ‘No, what’s the point?’
“Because I honestly don’t think there is going to be anything there for me when I finish. I’m not going to lie.
“That’s why I think there will be a generation lost in terms of management.
“With the money they are making now, a lot of players in this country will turn around and walk away from the game here.”
The Treble-winning marksman, who retired in 2008, added: “Look at the managerial merry-go-round in English football. It’s the same names all the time. And to a certain extent you can’t really say anything because it’s a system.
“If you speak up people say, ‘Here we go again. He’s playing the race card’ – even though the facts speak for themselves.”
Last year Huddersfield insisted they were unable to afford Cole – without ever talking terms with him over work on a casual basis.
“I went to Huddersfield and got involved – the boys were enjoying it and things went well,” he said.
“Lee Clarke, who I am still friends with now and I don’t blame, asked me to do another day. And another. So I asked the question, ‘Is there a job here for me?’ But I was told no because the chief exec or whoever couldn’t afford me.
“I didn’t ask for anything *financially. So how did they know they couldn’t afford me?”
Winning five Premier League titles, the *Champions League and two FA Cups for United has clearly counted for nothing as far as Cole is concerned.
It has, however, at United where Cole is a club *ambassador.
“Sir Alex Ferguson has been absolutely *brilliant with me. He keeps telling me to get my badges done,” said Cole.
“But although I know exactly where the boss is coming from, is there going to be a job for me at the end of the tunnel? I’m honestly not sure.
“A hell of a lot of black players feel the same. And why shouldn’t they?
“Gordon Taylor at the PFA has sat me down many times and said, ‘Andrew, for what you have done in your career you could be a great example to others if you got into coaching or management’.
“I’d love to but if I’m not been given an *opportunity why am I going to go through all that?
“Les Ferdinand has got the knowledge. He’s got charisma. He has played the game at the highest level and he has achieved at the highest level. Why can Les not get a management job?
“Les is not a controversial guy. Everybody loves Les. Why doesn’t someone give him a job?”
American lawyer Cyrus Mehdi, who pushed for the Rooney Rule in the US, maintains the controversial plan could work here.
But Cole went on: “It shouldn’t have to take some guy to come here from America and mention the Rooney Rule.
“Will it make a huge difference if a black or ethnic minority has to be listened to by a chairman?
“All that chairman has to do is listen. It’s whether that chairman is willing to do anything after that. That will be the real test.”
