LE SOMMER TIME BLEUS
BEHIND every successful man, they say, is a strong woman.
As far as Lionesses head coach Phil Neville is concerned, that someone is Bev Priestman.
Except, that is, when their 6am run on the beach at their Normandy base in Trouville-sur-Mer is on the agenda.
“It’s a big part of what we do,” said England assistant Priestman (left with Neville and inset).
“We’ve all got exercise in our backgrounds but there’s sometimes a decision: ‘Do I get more sleep or do I go for a run?’ We’re out most mornings.
“I’m more into my high-intensity 25-minute speed sessions. Phil can get a bit hardcore with his hill sprints.
“But I’ve not been on the beach with him yet – I got lost on the first day...”
Priestman, 33, is very much the specialist on Neville’s staff as far as the women’s game is concerned.
A professional coach since leaving university in Liverpool, she was picked up by Everton. But alongside her training-ground knowledge is significant experience of tournament football.
Neville may have the gravitas from a successful career with Manchester United, Everton and England.
Priestman worked for New Zealand and latterly with a strong Canada side.
In fact, she was on the opposition benches when the Lionesses defeated the North American hosts four years ago and she was hand-picked by Neville to be his No.2.
England opened their World Cup account with a 2-1 win over Scotland on Sunday and face Argentina tomorrow. And Priestman said: “Phil’s a world-class man manager.
“He’s played the game at the highest level and worked for the best manager in history in Sir Alex Ferguson.
“He’s a humble guy. He doesn’t use his experience as much as he should. He uses it around individuals, telling them how to cope with pressure. Looking at the Scotland game, it could
Group A EUGENIE LE SOMMER saved France – and the blushes of her team-mate Wendie Renard – to earn victory.
Le Sommer’s 72nd-minute penalty, following a VAR review after Marion Torrent had been fouled by Ingrid Engen, secured a win for the hosts who had taken the lead in the first minute of the second half through have been either a game or an occasion. It was a game.
“With him having played in front of the crowds he has, it’s been a help to the players.
“Nothing fazes him. It gives you a lot of confidence to do your own job and deliver.
“So, I’d like to think that by putting Phil and me together, it would be a recipe for success.
“We have complemented each other.
“What I bring is my experience across tournaments. So that when it really matters, seven games in, 50 days on the road, you have to prepare, keeping the players fresh so when you get to the last game, they are.
“There are other areas too, such as how FIFA works, along with a knowledge of the women’s game and details of how other countries play.”
Neville’s switch to the women’s game raised eyebrows. But Priestman believes that growing up alongside twin sister Tracey – coach of the England netball team – has given her boss an unparalleled perspective.
She added: “Phil’s quite unique – he’s got a great intuition and gut feel. Historically, that’s what I’ve believed, that women have a good emotional intelligence.
“The fact Phil’s sister is in netball means he has that. He’s got a really good feel and he’ll use the people around him. It’s quite a two-way harmony that helps us move forward.”
Unless, of course, you’re trying to find that beach... Valerie Gauvin. But eight minutes later, Renard was left distraught when she intercepted a cross three yards out and, unchallenged, put the ball into her own net to pull Norway level.
But Le Sommer (left) struck her fifth World Cup goal, equalling Les Bleus’ tournament record top scorer MarieLaure Delie.