Phil Neville appointed England women head coach until 2021

Phil Neville has been appointed the new head coach of the England women’s football team.

The former Manchester United, Everton and England defender has signed a contract that will take him through to the 2021 Women’s Euros and met his players for the first time at a training camp in La Manga, Spain, on Tuesday.

The 41-year-old has no experience in the women’s football and has never managed a senior club side barring one game in charge of Salford City (a team he co-owns), though spent time as a coach at Valencia, under brother Gary, and Manchester United, under David Moyes, and holds a Uefa Pro Licence.

"I am honoured to be given the chance to lead England," Neville said in a statement.

"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."

Mo Marley, who was in charge of the team on an interim basis, will return to leading England women's development setup.

After the announcement of his appointment tweets he had sent in 2012 emerged, one saying: "When I said morning men I thought the women would of been busy preparing breakfast/getting kids ready/making beds-sorry morning women!" Neville subsequently deleted his Twitter account.