England women job for Neville
FA want Neville to take over from Sampson
PHIL NEVILLE is set to be named manager of the England women’s team. The 40-year-old former Manchester United star has emerged as the FA’s first choice to replace Mark Sampson and is believed to have decided it is a perfect first management job. Neville, who won 59 caps, will be the highest profile male figure to work in the women’s game. Meanwhile, his old United team-mate Ryan Giggs has been interviewed by Wales to be Chris Coleman’s successor, and he is believed to be ahead of Craig Bellamy in the process.
PHIL NEVILLE is on the brink of becoming the next permanent manager of England women’s football team.
The FA have taken their time to identify the right person to take on the job following the sacking of Mark Sampson.
They want Neville to revamp the Lionesses’ playing style and take the team forward to the 2019 World Cup in France.
Neville was first sounded out by Dan Ashworth, the FA’s technical director, about his interest in the position before Christmas and the more conversations that took place, the more the 40-year-old became excited about taking on the project. He has made no secret of wanting to move into management.
understands he met Ashworth, FA chief executive Martin Glenn and Sue Campbell, the head of women’s football, in the last 24 hours to discuss personal terms.
Sampson, who was sacked under a cloud of controversy last September, was on a contract worth £120,000 per year.
Though the FA do not have plans in place to make a formal announcement, Neville — who will be allowed to continue with his commitments in the media — is expected to be officially appointed by the end of next week barring any last-minute hitches.
Having worked as a coach at Manchester United and Valencia, Neville turned down the chance to work as David Moyes’s assistant at West Ham in November in the hope he would have an opportunity to stake his claims for the then vacant Sunderland post — but he never received a call.
Ashworth holds Neville, who played for England 59 times, in high regard and has been exploring ways to get him within the organisation and this will be viewed as a pioneering appointment, given his c.v.
Neville would be comfortably the highest profile male figure to work within the women’s game, although ex-Barnsley midfielder Neil Redfearn became the first former English Football League manager to be recruited by a women’s side when he was drafted in by Doncaster Rovers Belles last month.
England’s women play their first match of 2018 against France on March 1 in the She- Believes Cup, a four- team tournament that also features Germany and the United States, the reigning world champions.
Their first home game is against Wales in a World Cup qualifier on April 6.
The squad will report to St George’s Park tomorrow before heading to La Manga for a training camp.
Mo Marley remains the interim coach while the process to find Sampson’s successor continues.