Jermain Defoe reveals agonising Rangers call proved Steven Gerrard has his back as Ibrox exit opened his eyes

Former Rangers strike hero Jermain Defoe has shared his aspirations to move into management.

However, he insists that he wants to earn this position based on merit, not just because he is black. The former West Ham and Tottenham striker recognises the cut-throat nature of management but hopes for a fair chance.

"I like to think doors are opening," he says. "There's been changes, there's been managers recently who have had jobs and lost jobs, which is part and parcel. You're never going to be a manager that never loses his job at some point. You're going to get sacked, that's just facts. Every manager gets sacked, it doesn't matter how good you are. But I like to think that I will get a chance. "I don't think the numbers are great, in terms of black managers. There could be more, a lot more. When I've spoken to players that have finished playing, players that I've played with, and they've spoken about their journey and the struggles they've had, I start to think 'well, if you've had those struggles then I'm probably going to get the same struggles'.

"But I understand everyone's journey is different, and I don't want a job just because I'm black... you want a job because you're good enough. The numbers could be better, everyone knows that, numbers don't lie. But I like to think that at some stage I'll get a chance." Defoe, who is the focus of a one-night-only documentary in UK cinemas on February 29, knew he wanted to transition into coaching after deciding to retire from playing football.

The 41 year old, currently an academy coach with his old team Tottenham, gained experience from working with Harry Redknapp and Sam Allardyce during his lengthy playing career. However, it was at Rangers where he first experienced