Phil Neville hit by Twitter storm soon after landing England women’s job

Phil Neville says he feels “honoured” to have been given the job of coaching the England women’s team but his appointment immediately became embroiled in controversy after highly dubious tweets Neville appears to have sent a few years ago began to circulate, with one making light of domestic violence.

The message, which was posted via Neville’s long-standing Twitter handle @fizzer18 on 1 July 2011, reads: “Relax I’m back chilled – just battered the wife!!! Feel better now!” Another from the same account, and which was sent on 3 December 2012, reads: “U women of [sic] always wanted equality until it comes to paying the bills #hypocrites”.

READ MORE: Phil Neville appointed as England Women manager

Neville deleted his Twitter account on Tuesday evening and has yet to confirm or deny he sent the tweets. In the 41-year-old’s defence, it is possible he deleted the account before setting up a new one to reflect his new role, for which he has signed a three-year deal. “I’m honoured to be given the chance to lead England,” said the former Manchester United and Everton player. “This squad’s on the verge of something special and I believe I can lead them to the next level.”

Neville was confirmed as Mark Sampson’s successor shortly after arriving in La Manga in southern Spain on Tuesday where the squad, captained by Steph Houghton, are attending a winter training camp. “There’s no greater honour than representing your country and it will be a privilege to do it again,” he added. “I can’t wait to get down to work with an elite group of players at the top of their game.”

Neville’s appointment is controversial for other reasons. While he holds the pro-licence qualification and has previously served as a coach under both David Moyes at Manchester United and his brother, Gary, at Valencia, as well as with the men’s England Under-21 team, he has never been a manager in his own right. Moreover he has no experience in the women’s game and did not apply for the job when it was advertised after Sampson’s dismissal on grounds of unacceptable behaviour with a player in a previous job.

Since Sampson’s sacking in September the squad has been under the caretaker charge of Mo Marley. Another pro-licence holder, she decided she did not want the senior role long-term and will return to her previous post leading England’s development teams.

By last month, the FA had compiled a three-person shortlist but, ultimately, none of the trio wanted the top job. While John Herdman, the favourite, moved from coaching Canada women to that country’s men, Nick Cushing remained at Manchester City and Laura Harvey, the former Arsenal and Seattle Reign coach, accepted a new post with Utah Royals.

Under Sampson England reached the semi-finals of the 2015 World Cup and the 2017 European Championship, as his team rose to No 3 and No 1 in the respective world and European rankings. Neville’s challenge is to lead the Lionesses to glory at next year’s World Cup in France.

His first task will be to win the hearts and minds of a squad bruised by Sampson’s departure. The Welshman was found to have made two racially discriminatory comments to Eniola Aluko and Drew Spence but most of England’s players remained extremely supportive of him.

Baroness Sue Campbell, the FA director of women’s football, said: “We will build a brilliant team around Phil. His enthusiasm, passion and desire for the role impressed us all. Once he emerged as a candidate we knew we had the right person. We knew we needed a winner with innovative ideas who will fit in well with the dynamic setup we have at St George’s Park.”

Neville will be thrown in at the deep end when England fly to the United States for the prestigious She Believes Cup in March, where they will face France, Germany and the US. After that comes a World Cup qualifier against Wales in Southampton in April.

More immediately his appointment has provoked a mixed reaction. Katie Chapman, the former Chelsea and England midfielder, said: “Surely there must be coaches out there who’ve had experience in the women’s game, and of actually being a manager?”

Rachel Brown-Finnis, a former England goalkeeper, disagreed. “He would inspire me,” she said. “He’s a great fit. This is a someone who has worked under Sir Alex Ferguson and has a winning mentality.”