Alex Dyer: I hope I can bolster chances for black coaches

Kilmarnock manager Alex Dyer hopes he can clear a path for other black coaches by bringing success to Rugby Park.

The 54-year-old takes the reins at Killie on a permanent basis after his interim spell in charge landed him a two-year deal.

After taking the first session of pre-season as the Kilmarnock squad returned to a physically distanced training regime, Dyer said he hoped other coaches from minority backgrounds would be able to follow him into top jobs in football.

Dyer said: “I’m just a black man who wants to be a coach. This football club has given me the opportunity and I want to do the best I can.

“We know in life that things aren’t fair. We know that there should more black, Asian and ethnic minority [people] in the game and given a chance.

“I hope that can change and I hope that people can look at me say ‘yeah, it can happen’.

“If I work hard hopefully people can see what I can do and that could be a kick-start for other people to get a chance like I have.”

Dyer was brought to Scottish football by Steve Clarke, who then took his assistant with him to the Scotland job.

Dyer admitted he had to thank Clarke for the opportunity but said that he would not have been given the chance had not worked as hard as he could due to the lack of chances afforded to black coaches.

The Londoner said: “When you are growing up, you know. It is all round you and you know it is going to be difficult.

“You are told from an early age and from what you see in life that you have to work hard, because the chances are limited.

“History tells us that – you can’t hide from it. History tells us that we don’t get the opportunities that white people get.

“I was fortunate that I met Steve Clarke and he gave me the opportunity to come up here. For him there was no issue whether I was black, white or green. He said ‘I know you can do this job and I want you with me’.

“We had a good period, he moved on to the national side and then he took me with him again. I will always be grateful to him for giving me the opportunity but he gave me that opportunity because he knows I can do the job – not because I am a black man.”

Dyer has made his first transfer move of the summer by signing up right-back Aaron McGowan from Hamilton Accies.

He said the player market has a different look to it with the Scottish and English leagues following varying paths back to playing but Dyer is confident he can get the right balance for the season ahead.

He said: “It’s not so difficult, there are going to be players out there out of contract. We know our budget – it’s not the biggest in the world but it is not the worst.

“As long as I get a good type in the building and players are going to work hard for this football club then we are going to have a chance to have a decent season.”