Former Manchester United defender Phil Neville is appointed the permanent head coach of the England women’s football team on Tuesday for his first full-time managerial role.
Phil Neville signed a contract that will run through UEFA Euro 2021 by replacing Mark Sampson, as England’s Football Association announced on their website.
Phil Neville, who also played for England and Everton, was previously the first-team coach at Manchester United and assistant coach at Spanish club Valencia.
Sampson was sacked in September for “inappropriate and unacceptable behavior” in a previous job, resultingly now Neville is appointed despite having limited experience in soccer management.
Phil Neville appointed England women’s coach
The 41-year-old newly appointed coach had 59 England caps and 10 major trophies from his 11 years of career at Manchester United under Alex Ferguson and he retired in 2013.
Neville’s appointment comes a week after his former Manchester United teammate and Ryan Giggs was named Wales manager.
The Football Association said it was impressed by Neville’s coaching expertise.
Phil Neville: England women head coach sorry after ‘sexist’ tweets criticised
Sue Campbell, the FA director of women’s football oversaw the recruitment process and said that the England team “needed a winner with innovative ideas.”
“There is no greater honor than representing your country, and it will be a privilege to do it again,” Neville said.
Neville’s appointment immediately became embroiled in controversy after highly dubious tweets Neville appears to have sent a few years ago began to circulate.
Phil Neville has deleted his Twitter account on the same day he was named head coach of England Women as he has faced accusations of sexism based on the content of specific tweets on his account six years ago.
The Football Association said they were aware of Neville’s tweets before making the appointment.
