Norway great named interim England women’s manager
FOOTBALL
LONDON: England named former Norway midfielder Hege Riise as interim coach of the women’s team yesterday after Phil Neville stood down to take over at Major League Soccer men’s side Inter Miami.
The FA said 1995 World Player of the Year Riise (51) would lead its February training camp and be supported by former Canada international Rhian Wilkinson and women’s technical head Kay Cossington.
Riise and Wilkinson had applied for the vacant role of assistant coach and had agreed shortterm contracts, it added.
The move brings one of the great pioneers of the game to the Lionesses.
Part of the Norway team that was a global powerhouse in the ’ 90s and early 2000s, Riise won the Uefa Women’s Championship in 1993, the World Cup in 1995 and a gold medal at the Sydney Olympics during an international career that included 188 caps.
Her club career brought her from the Norwegian league to the Carolina Courage in the United States before she returned home again, eventually retiring at the age of 37.
Riise moved into club management in Norway and coached the under23 team before a threeyear spell as USA assistant manager from 2009. She joined local side LSK Kvinner in 2012 and took over as head coach five years later.
‘‘I’m excited about the opportunity I’ve been given to work with England women,’’ Riise said.
‘‘This is a proud and ambitious team that I look forward to working with and I am confident of making a positive impact when I meet up with the squad in February.’’
Southampton manager Ralph Hasenhuttl’s decision to mix youth and experience has paid off after his side secured a place in the FA Cup fourth round with a 20 win over Shrewsbury Town in their rearranged tie.
Dan N’Lundulu netted on his first start for Southampton in the 17th minute before James WardProwse sealed the result with a clever curled free kick.
The reward for the Saints was a clash with Arsenal in the round of 32.
The Shrews were without manager Steve Cotterill, who had to watch the game from his hospital bed as he continues his recovery from Covid19.
The 56yearold was admitted to hospital after his symptoms took a turn for the worse and has spent time in intensive care.
The game, originally scheduled for January 9, was postponed after a coronavirus outbreak at the Shropshire club.