THE ENGLAND Women’s Football Team – known as the “Lionesses” – will have a new manager from next summer to lead them through two important tournaments which have been postponed due to the Coronavirus pandemic.
Current manager, Phil Neville, took on the role in January 2018 on a three year contract which is due to expire next summer. The plan had been that Neville would manage the team for the Olympic Games in the summer of 2020 and the Women’s European Championships, due to be held in England the following summer.
The plan has been scuppered by the Coronavirus pandemic – with both international events being postponed by one year. The Football Association (FA) is thought to favour having a new manager who can lead the teams through those events and the World Cup matches, due to be played in 2023.
During Neville’s time in charge, the Lionesses won a SheBelieves Cup and came fourth in the 2019 World Cup. However, since that World Cup the team has only won four of the eleven games they have played. They defended the SheBelieves Cup in March, just before Lockdown, but lost the title.
Neville played, as a defender, for Manchester United and Everton and also for England. He had worked as a coach after retiring from playing, but the England Women’s job was his first experience as a manager. The team has won just over half the matches they have played since Neville took over.
The FA has clearly decided that enough is enough. It is thought that Neville would like to work out his contract, but if a new manager is to take over the position, it is not clear when he – or she – will take over.
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