Sydney FC legend Dwight Yorke has said he is open to the idea of coaching in the A-League – as he continues to look for a way into the sport as a manager.
Speaking on Stan Sport FC with his former teammate Mark Bosnich, and Craig Foster, Yorke was asked if he would be interested in coaching in Australia should the chance arise.
“Absolutely – I think all options are open now that I’m fully qualified, to get that opportunity into management,” Yorke said.
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“Sydney is a place that I’m very fond of, I’ve got very good memories there. I think it would be a good start if I could get in there, and that opportunity did present itself.”
The Manchester United great has previously been outspoken about the lack of opportunities for black coaches in football – voicing his frustration at being unable to find a fit as a manager despite completing all his coaching badges.
“You just have to look at the Premier League — there is no black managers,” he told WallaSport in 2017.
“Look at the La Liga league, there is no black managers, in Germany there is no black managers. Italy, there is no black managers, we go to China and there is none.”
Yorke, 50, was Sydney’s marquee player in the inaugural 2005-06 A-League season, scoring seven goals as the Sky Blues won the grand final.
Funnily enough, he provided the assist for current Sydney FC manager Steve Corica’s winner in the decider.
“In terms of knowing what the fans are, knowing what the people expect, I’m used to that – it’s something that I can certainly live up to,” he said.
“The challenge as a manager is always going to be a little bit different because you’ve never really been there.
“But I’ve prepared myself for it, I think I’m ready. I’ve done my homework so to speak.”
Yorke said he had reached out to Sir Alex Ferguson, Arsene Wenger, Steve McClaren and Gareth Southgate, among others, for managerial advice.
“I just feel like I’m pretty much ready now to kick myself into management and it’s all about that opportunity and someone giving you that chance, that platform, to do what you’re capable of doing.”
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Yorke said there weren’t many negatives from his time down under – which was cut short one game into his second season when Sunderland swooped in to bring him back to England, and a year later, the Premier League.
Despite his nickname of ‘All Night Dwight’, Yorke is fondly remembered for his on-field performances by the Sydney faithful.
“A lot of people thought I was coming down for just the lifestyle of Australia, and that’s something that people don’t particularly know. People have this misconception about you,” Yorke added.
“Yes, I did enjoy myself when I was there but I was fully focused. I never lost focus on what I was there to really do and my role as a marquee player was to set the standards within the ranks of the players and get them understanding exactly what is required.”
Given the success of Sydney under Corica – who has either won or made the grand final in each of his three campaigns since he took over from Graham Arnold – there’s no reason why that job would be available any time soon.
But there could be other opportunities across the league, with four managerial changes since the pre-season alone.