Ghanaian-born former Dutch international George Boateng has praised the Irish FA’s decision to welcome females onto their next UEFA Pro Licence coaching course.

Boateng, the ex-Aston Villa and Middlesbrough midfielder, has just completed his UEFA diploma with the Irish FA in Belfast and insists women should be encouraged to put themselves forward for coaching jobs with men’s teams.

“I think it’s great and I’m also open to women managing men’s teams in the future,” he told Sky Sports News HQ.

“There shouldn’t be any sexism in sport, and I believe if a coach is good – regardless of their sex – we should be able to accept that and move on with it.

“Other people have ideas, women will have their own ideas, and they are so intelligent, so I support this all the way. I think it’s fantastic and the IFA should embrace it.”

Although he was born in Ghana, Boateng chose to represent Netherlands at international level, earning four caps in total for Oranje.

He is currently the technical director of Kelantan FA playing in Malaysia Super League.