The League Managers' Association (LMA) has confirmed it would back the introduction of the Rooney Rule if football's stakeholders backed the idea.
The Rooney Rule -- which stipulates that American NFL teams must interview at least one minority candidate for head coach and general manager roles -- has been the subject of some debate in recent weeks, with calls for greater representation of black or ethnic minorities (BME) given there are just two BME managers working in England's top four divisions.
Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho said earlier in October that there is "no racism in football" regarding job offers, though Football Association (FA) equality advisor Brendon Batson dismissed those claims and has urged Premier League chief executive Richard Scudamore to propose an alternative system in order to suppress racial discrimination in English football.
LMA chairman Richard Bevan -- responding to a technical LMA report released on Monday entitled 'How are Football Coaches Appointed?' -- says his organisation would support the introduction of the rule if the likes of the FA and the Premier League gave their backing, reports Sky Sports.
"Over recent months, the LMA has conducted a detailed and thorough research and review programme into the professional employment landscape that faces all candidates for coaching and managerial roles in the game," the statement read.
"The purpose of the review has been to identify the many challenges faced by candidates and to identify the most effective way to make positive interventions to address those challenges.
"The report reviews existing research in the areas of football governance, football manager trends, and black and minority ethnic (BME) managers and coaches and supplements this with preliminary analysis of data on the way in which football coaches, rather than football managers, are appointed to clubs.
"The LMA is committed to the fundamental principle of equal opportunities for anyone, from any background, who wishes to work and build a career, as a manager or coach, in professional football."