Image Credits: Imago Images
England’s Eberechi Eze and Jess Carter, along with men’s senior coach Justin Cochrane, are among those recognised in the 2025 Football Black List. The annual event, launched in 2008, celebrates the efforts and achievements of Black figures working across football.
Carter, who faced racist abuse during England’s Euro 2025 victory, has been described by organisers as “a powerful advocate for cultural change and accountability.”
Eze was recognised for his foundation empowering south London youth through education and sport, whileFulham star Alex Iwobi runs a project supporting underserved communities through football tournaments, mentorship programmes, and initiatives.
For the first time, the list features more women than men, with consultant and broadcaster Liz Ward, Oxford United captain Naomi Bedeau, coach Shakira Waithe, and former BBC Sport journalist Jessica Creighton among those included.
Former Liverpool defender Kolo Toure, ex-Premier League player Nathan Dyer, and Manchester United chief executive Omar Berrada also feature. Toure became a fan favourite during his three-year spell at Liverpool and enjoyed a distinguished career in English football, representing Arsenal and Manchester City before joining Liverpool in 2013 on a free transfer.
Manchester City confirmed Toure’s permanent appointment to Pep Guardiola’s backroom staff in the summer. He served as first-team assistant coach during City’s FIFA Club World Cup campaign.
Toure enjoyed a successful season as Assistant Lead Coach with City’s Under-18s, helping the team win the Premier League Under-18 North title and reach the National Final, narrowly losing 1-0 to Aston Villa. He also guided the youngsters to the FA Youth Cup final.
Beyond City, Toure has extensive coaching experience, having worked with the Ivory Coast national team, Glasgow Celtic, Leicester City under Brendan Rodgers, and a brief spell in charge at Wigan Athletic.
Co-founder Leon Mann said: “Black women often face significant barriers in sport and society, so this recognition is a testament to their talent and resilience. I hope their visibility inspires future generations.”
“There was a time when featuring a CEO of one of the biggest clubs in the world, alongside elite-level coaches, felt like a distant dream,” said Mann. “In 2026, I now expect to see this. However, while progress has been made, there is still work to do to improve representation in leadership and coaching.”
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