Updated at 19.02
PHIL NEVILLE HAS been appointed head coach of the England women’s team until the end of the 2021 UEFA Women’s Championships, the governing Football Association announced Tuesday.
The 41-year-old former Manchester United, Everton and England defender succeeds Mark Sampson, who was sacked in September over allegations of misconduct in a previous role and amid a racism row that led to widespread criticism of senior FA figures.
“I am honoured to be given the chance to lead England. With the new coaching team we are putting in place, we can help the players build on their great progress in recent years,” Neville said.
England hope to stage the 2021 European Championships, with Neville taking over a team that reached the last four of the 2017 Euros and which is now third in the world rankings, behind only women’s football superpowers the United States and Germany.
His appointment is sure to raise question marks about the FA’s appointment procedure given he has never previously worked in the women’s game.
However, he insisted: ”This squad is on the verge of something special and I believe I can lead them to the next level.
“There is no greater honour than representing your country and it will be a privilege to do it again.”
Neville, who holds the UEFA Pro Licence, has worked as a coach at United and with the England Under-21 side since retiring as a player.
He also had some involvement at Valencia while his brother Gary, also a former United and England player, was briefly in charge of the Spanish side from 2015-2016.
Sports coaching is very much a family affair, with the Neville brothers’ sister, Tracey Neville, the head coach of the England netball team.
Neville’s first assignment in his new job will be the SheBelieves Cup tournament in the United States in March, when England play France, Germany and the hosts.
But all eyes will be on next year’s women’s World Cup in France, with England, whose next qualifying game sees them play Wales in Southampton on April 6, looking to improve on their third place at the 2015 edition.
That result was also achieved under Sampson but the Welshman’s reign ended in controversy after he was accused of racism by England striker Eni Aluko, although it was “inappropriate and unacceptable behaviour” in a previous role with Bristol Academy that eventually led the FA to sack him.
England Under-19 women’s coach Mo Marley took over as caretaker boss of the senior side and led the team to a 1-0 friendly defeat by France in October before overseeing World Cup qualifying wins over Bosnia and Herzegovina and Kazakhstan.
There had been speculation that England would opt for a female coach following Sampson’s exit, but attentions turned to Neville, well-regarded by FA chiefs, once leading candidate and Chelsea Ladies manager Emma Hayes ruled herself out of the running.
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Even as a Spurs fan I thought this fellas distribution was a joy to watch-coolness personified
@Baz: city are going to dominate the EPL for years they’re pure class and a joy to watch
In other news expect Hughes to be sacked by Monday
@Mr Nimziki: hopefully the way he was shouting at the West Ham player coming off as a sub was disgraceful.
@Mr Nimziki: definitely next to go. A bit of a surprise though cause i thought they were at least heading in the right direction before this season
I neur heard of him?
World #1 Maybe , him or Neur !
@Is mise muc gránna: who is Nuer? Never heard of him.
@Is mise muc gránna: De Gea would be up there if you ask me! He’s kept United in games they have no right to be in over the past 4 years!
@Daniel Casey: he just doesn’t want to acknowledge any man utd player…its his kinda thing. Bit sad really
@Stephen Coveney: he’s just stirring the pot lads, ignore him. Everyone and their dog knows De Gea is the best keeper in the world.
@Daniel Casey: true only for him the last 4 years United would be mid to lower table easily
@Stephen Foster: Jeez my opionion. Stop getting so bent out of shape. Not everything is about how poor United are. De gea is a fine goalkeeper. Coming on alot. Improved so much he is probably Uniteds best player. Himself and Mignolet doing well. Mignolet the superior in my eyes as he is a phenomenon at saving pens !
To all the muppets giving out about Joe Hart being hard done by, struggling for game at West Ham now……
This world record designation is a bit of a misnomer. If you are talking about in £ equivalent it was a small bit more than Buffon. But in , which both deals would have been concluded in, Buffon was about €50 million to €40 million.
@William Boland: it is, its more trying to spice up articles than add information. The sun style
Stephen Cluxton in disguise