GAETAN BONG has hit out at the lack of BAME managers in the game.

And he has praised Albion boss Chris Hughton as one of the best he has come across.

The Seagulls left-back has revealed he is opposed to a version of American football’s Rooney rule being introduced on this side of the Atlantic to bolster BAME (Black, Asian, and minority ethnic) numbers.

And he has questioned why attitudes have not changed and the game been “more open” over the years.

Speaking on French television channel SFR Sports, Bong, pictured, said: “I don’t understand it.

“He (Hughton) is one of the best managers I’ve come across.

“He knows what he wants and he knows how to manage his players to get it.

“I don’t understand, whether it’s in England or elsewhere, why there are not many black managers.

“I think we should be doing more, be more open.

“We are in 2017, I think it’s strange.

“You can say the same in Ligue Un (the French top flight).

“There are hardly any black coaches.

“There’s Antoine Kombouare (of Guingamp) but he has been around for years.

“Claude Makalele has just gone to Belgium (from Swansea).

“There are quality managers and I don’t think colour makes one better than another. It’s astounding.”

Bong is unimpressed by the idea of measures similar to the Rooney Rule coming in.

He said: “I find that ridiculous - that you have to impose quotas to have a black manager. It’s abhorrent.

“We’re in 2017 and the mentality hasn’t evolved.

“We talk about so many things these days.

“We can see it very well at Brighton. It’s not the colour (of skin) which decides whether a manager is good.”