Phil Neville is leaving his role as England women’s head coach at the end of his contract in July 2021.
Here, the PA news agency takes a look at some of the contenders to replace him.
Casey Stoney
Emma Hayes
Emma Hayes is one of the favourites for the England job but says she is happy at Chelsea (Adam Davy/PA)The Chelsea head coach was strongly considered prior to Neville’s appointment and her CV makes her a strong candidate. She has delivered two WSL titles to the Blues as well as two FA Cups and a League Cup while also taking her side to the Champions League semi-finals twice. Success in Europe is a goal that is really driving her on and might be enough to avoid the temptation of taking the England job. She has said she is “honoured” to be linked with it, but also said “right now I’m extremely happy at Chelsea”.
Jill Ellis
Nick Cushing
A tough start to @mls life but one we’ll all grow and learn from – the team showed tremendous fight in a challenging situation.
Roll on Toronto next week ???#nycfc #forthecity #mls pic.twitter.com/Voh1BiT0gS
— Nick Cushing (@nickcushing80) March 2, 2020
The 35-year-old was a huge success with Manchester City women, winning a WSL title and two FA Cups over a seven-year period so his knowledge of the women’s game will be tough to match. However, Cushing recently left his position to go and work as Ronny Deila’s assistant manager at MLS side New York City. Having only moved to the United States in January, he might be wanting to give it a longer crack and might also see his future in the men’s game.
John Herdman
2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣0️⃣ vision. #CANMNT Head Coach John Herdman lays out his blueprint for a big year ahead. pic.twitter.com/g4NIYMugny
— Canada Soccer (@CanadaSoccerEN) January 14, 2020
The English coach is currently in charge of the Canada men’s national team, having taken the job in 2018. He has experience of the women’s game, though, having led Canada to back-to-back Olympic bronze medals in 2012 and 2016 while also taking them to the quarter-finals of the 2015 World Cup on home soil. He is a big part of the Canadian set-up, though, so may take some persuading to give up his life there to return to the UK.
