Charanjit, who lives in Leaming-ton, has been coaching the academy
for 11 years and believes his promotion to educator level sends out a
positive message to Asian footballers.

"Who says that Asians can't teach football," said Charanjit, who is known as Chas. "This shows that Asians can achieve positions of status in the game."

The former Khalsa player holds a UEFA A licence, which allows him to coach in the Premiership, but he believes it may be some time before we see an Asian coaching at the top level.

"I can coach in the Premiership but it would be very difficult to get a job. Clubs are very much biased towards ex-professionals."

Piara Powar, director for Kick It Out, football's equality and inclusion campaign, said: "While we have seen a small and steady presence in Asian players on the pitch - Zesh Rehman, Netan Sansara and Anwar Uddin are just three blazing a trail - it is coaches like Chas who can act as role models to ensure we see this increase in Asian participation reflected across the game."