Phil Neville named and shamed

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Phil Neville named manager of England Women Lionesses on Tuesday then apologises today (Wed) for derogatory remarks he's made on 'Twitter' about women in the past

Phil Neville has been appointed head coach of England Women until the end of the 2021 UEFA Women's Championships, the Football Association has announced.

The former Manchester United, Everton and England player becomes the permanent successor to Mark Sampson, who was sacked last September.

Neville, 41, has been given a contract until the end of the 2021 European Championships, which the FA hopes to host, and he takes over a team that is third in the world rankings, behind only the United States and Germany.

"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," Neville said.

"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."

Given the fact that he has never worked in the women's game before, his appointment will raise some eyebrows but he has many fans at the Football Association and does hold a UEFA Pro Licence.

Capped 59 times by his country, he has also held coaching positions at his former club United and Spanish side Valencia, as well as doing some work with England's Under-21 side.

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Phil Neville won't be charged for historic tweets about women (January 24th 2018)

New England Women head coach Phil Neville will not be charged over historic tweets about women, Football Association chief executive Martin Glenn has confirmed.

The 41-year-old, whose appointment as Lionesses boss was confirmed on Tuesday, has already been on the end of fierce criticism over tweets he sent in 2011 and 2012, as well as over his suitability for the job.

Kick It Out chief executive Roisin Wood asked whether Neville's "misogynistic and sexist" posts would be looked at by the FA, but the governing body's chief executive Martin Glenn has dismissed the possibility of disciplinary action.

He wrote in a letter to Wood: "The assessment of the FA's integrity/regulatory team is that those comments would not meet the threshold for issuing a charge against any participants (in football) but as part of the induction process, Phil will be educated on all aspects of the FA's regulatory functions and his responsibilities thereunder."

Glenn said in the letter that the FA was aware of "some, but not all" of the historic tweets related to women prior to appointing Neville, and said that the decision to delete his Twitter account was solely down to the former Manchester United player.

Glenn added: "He will also be warned that any future comments that are deemed to cross the charging threshold will be treated with the utmost seriousness and may lead to disciplinary action."

Glenn wrote that the appointment process had been "rigorous and fair" in response to claims that Neville lacked any experience in women's football.

He added: "I hope you will appreciate...that this has not been a straightforward process. We have been determined to find someone who we think can inspire the team to the very highest levels. I have personally been impressed by Phil's determination, his integrity and values that came through strongly in his background checks and references."