Middlesbrough boss Gareth Southgate has called for changes in the English coaching set-up to help players gain their management qualifications.
Southgate needed special dispensation from the Premier League to manage without the mandatory Uefa Pro Licence.
"Something needs to be done - international players can't get on the courses," he told Football Focus.
"I had no opportunity because the only courses are during the summer and I spent 10 summers playing for England."
The Premier League brought in rules in 2003 which meant anyone wishing to manage in the top flight must have the Uefa Pro Licence.
But Newcastle manager Glenn Roeder and now Southgate have been given permission to carry on in the job without the necessary badges.
Southgate earned a reprieve as the Premier League Board took into consideration that "he was until recently an international footballer, which had denied him the opportunity to take the necessary coaching courses".
"The last four months have probably taught me more than anything"
He said: "The first summer I didn't play for England I took the first badge and the second summer I started the second badge where I'm at now - so it is difficult for an international player.
"I'd love to have started it earlier but the opportunity wasn't there.
"You have to wait a whole calendar year for a course.
"And unfortunately most coaching departments are under staffed.
"The LMA made its stance very clear. It has been very good when dealing with me - and said it is nothing personal but the LMA continues to berate me in public."
Southgate last played for England in March 2004 but has not been to a major tournament with his country since the 2002 World Cup.
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He is expecting to meet the Premier League's qualifications in 2008.
He said: "The Pro Licence will take me two years. The A badge normally requires 240 hours which I need to compete in six months which will be very difficult.
"I can understand people who have worked through the badges and feel I might have jumped the queue. I have a lot of sympathy for them.
"But I've been given an opportunity, the chairman believes in me and he feels he should be able to appoint who he wants as manager.
"I have 17 years experience in the top flight as a player.
"I have no managerial experience but even if I'd done my badges I would still have no managerial experience.
"The qualifications will teach me how to coach and the Pro Licence will be a great help to me in terms of management, but the last four months have probably taught me more than anything."