QPR boss Chris Ramsey has backed Rio Ferdinand to make it as a manager and hopes the path will be easier in the future for him and other black and ethnic minority (BME) coaches.
Ramsey says the former England and Manchester United captain impressed him while studying for his coaching badges at QPR last season, when bringing his playing days to an end.
The Football League is to pioneer a version of the 'Rooney rule' to boost the number of BME bosses -- there are only five black managers at the 72 clubs and none in the Premier League.
Ramsey, speaking at the Leaders in Sport business summit in London, said: "I think the new breed will have it slightly easier. Things have changed more recently.
"Last season, Rio was doing his badges and I think he will end up becoming a manager and I hope a lot of [BME] players will end up going down that route.
"We don't want tokenism but what we do need to do is get a door open so people can display their talents and be in the pack."
The Football League's approach starts next season and will see five to 10 clubs piloting a "voluntary recruitment code" to interview a BME candidate for any first-team managerial or coaching position.
All clubs must also interview at least one BME candidate for all youth development roles requiring a minimum of a UEFA B coaching licence.