Albion boss Chris Hughton says Les Ferdinand deserves to be a contender for the role of the FA’s next technical director.

He believes more black and ethnic minority representation in managerial and other high level jobs will be the ultimate measure of English football becoming more inclusive.

Paul Nevin, Hughton’s first team coach at the Seagulls, has been selected to join Gareth Southgate’s England staff for Wembley friendlies against Croatia and the US next month as part of an FA programme to improve the under-representation of BAME coaches and provide a pathway for future talent.

Former England striker and QPR director of football Ferdinand has been linked with the post of FA technical director in succession to Dan Ashworth, who joins Albion in the spring in the same position.

Hughton told The Argus: “Nobody has a right to get any job and I think black and ethnic coaches and managers don’t want to get to a stage where they get a job just because of their background and their colour.

“It will always be about the best person for the job and your abilities and during this process it’s always been about the selection and interview process and having more openness in those procedures.

“Les Ferdinand, who I know very well, has done a good job at Queens Park Rangers and I think it’s natural. He has, of course, an England background, played for his country, and any mention of Les Ferdinand being associated with that job I think is only fair and correct.”

Hughton, West Brom’s Darren Moore, Southend’s Chris Powell and Keith Curle, appointed on Monday by Northampton, are the only BAME managers among the 92 English league clubs.

Hughton said: “We keep talking about an enthusiasm. I think there is a genuine enthusiasm for things to change but it can only be the case when it becomes fact.

“We are seeing at under-23 and academy level more inclusion as regards black and ethnic managers or coaches, but of course it’s at the higher level that you really gauge some of that change.

“That’s probably not just management but that’s in managerial positions in clubs, CEO’s and so on. Ultimately, I think that’s where the game wants to be.”