Former England defender Phil Neville named as the English Lionesses coach

Former Manchester United and Everton defender Phil Neville says he is honoured to have been appointed the new head coach of the England women's team.
Neville replaces Mo Marley, who has been managing the squad on an interim basis since Mark Sampson was dismissed last September.

It will be a first managerial post for Neville, who have previously worked as a coach at Manchester United and Valencia and with the England U21 set-up. Neville has been given a contract until the end of the 2021 European Championships.

He said "I am honoured to be given the chance to lead England, with the new coaching team we are putting in place, we can help the players build on their great progress in recent years. This squad is on the verge of something special and I believe I can lead them to the next level. I can't wait to get out on the training pitch and down to work with an elite group of players at the top of their game.  "I am also passionate about working within the wider set-up at St. George's Park, with influential people such as Mo Marley and Casey Stoney, and with the support of Baroness Sue Campbell and the wider women's game. There is a commitment to excellence that has paid dividends in recent years and I know we can continue the great growth of women's football inspired by the Lionesses. There is no greater honour than representing your country and it will be a privilege to do it again."