Rian Strange

 

Phil Neville set to step down as England manager

 

The English Football association looks set to announce that Phil Neville will not be renewing his contract as the England Women’s Football Manager.

Neville took over as England manager in 2018 and made an encouraging start by winning the SheBelieves cup in 2019. However, since then plenty of criticism was aimed towards him since they were unable to claim a top three place at the Women’s World Cup and also losing seven of their eleven matches following the tournament.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Neville was due to be leading team GB at the Olympics this summer as well as then managing the Lionesses at the

Euros the following year, however, both events have been delayed by at least a year due to the coronavirus pandemic. Neville’s contract ends next year, 2 days before the Olympics has been rescheduled to commence on the 23rd July.

Chelsea and England defender Millie Bright stated the announcement of Phil Neville’s departure as England manager “came as a surprise” and players are having to “process so much change in one go”.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bright has played a key role for England whilst Neville has been manager and was part of the squad that reached the World Cup semi-final last year.

She exclaims the players are “grateful for everything he has done” and that he helped “change the way we’ve played”.

Bright will have been hoping to play a part in team GB’s adventures at the Tokyo Olympics this year, but those ambitions would have been put on hold by the coronavirus pandemic as the games are postponed to at least July 2021.

With a year still left in his contract, the FA’s director of women’s football, Sue Campbell exclaimed: “once football returns after this difficult period, Phil will continue his work with the Lionesses on the further development of his squad. I will support him fully with that important task whilst moving forward with this crucial succession planning process.”

 

Here is what twitter had to say on the matter:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

These tweets suggest a difference of opinion between England fans across the platform.

The first four images show an agreement with the decision that Neville will step down as England manager with tweets including “why not now” informing us that he believes he should leave his position now rather than next year.

However, Julie Elliot, British Labour MP, states she is sad to see Neville go although she does agree it is good timing and entails it is time for a woman to take charge.  

 

Let us hear your opinion on the news as whether you are happy or sad to see Neville leaving his England post via this live poll:

 

https://twitter.com/rianstrange2/status/1258445185966641152