Blackburn Rovers striker Jason Roberts is considering a career in management when he retires.
There are only two black managers at the 92 English League clubs and there have been calls for the game to mirror the NFL's 'Rooney Rule' and shortlist at least one ethnic minority candidate when interviewing potential managers.
Roberts told the Sunday Mirror: "Opportunity is the key thing. The numbers don't stack up.
"A high percentage of these guys want to go into management and feel like they don't get the opportunity.
"The stats prove they are not getting the opportunity and the big question is why, and I will let others make a judgement on that.
"Bigger names than me have been put off by it, and bigger names than me have done their badges and not been given an opportunity.
"I will do my badges and then wait and see. Like my uncles Cyrille Regis and Dave Regis before me, I will do my badges and we will see if I get the opportunity to pass on my knowledge at the end of my career.
"My uncle Cyrille did his badges and found he wasn't even getting interviews at non-league clubs. If he's getting that reaction I shudder to think what reaction I will get but I'm going to give it a go."