Mo Marley could be set to become England’s next head coach after fulfilling the interim role she is undertaking following the sacking of Mark Sampson, reports TONY LEIGHTON.
Ahead of her first game in charge, Friday’s friendly against France in Valenciennes, Marley confirmed that she has applied for the job.
The long-time national Under-19 team’s head coach told She Kicks: “I’ve put my cv in and I will be part of the (FA recruitment) process.
“I’ve given myself the opportunity and now it’s all about me doing a really good job. If I do that and enjoy it and I’m within the criteria of being the best person for the job, that will be a conversation further down the line.”
“Further down the line” will be after the three matches that Marley will oversee, with World Cup qualifiers against Bosnia & Herzegovina and Kazakhstan next month to follow the meeting with France.
Though former England captain Marley is interested in becoming the permanent head coach – and she will unquestionably be a leading contender – she insists that she is not thinking ahead too far.
“At the minute,” she said, “I just want to do well, get three great results and then we’ll see how it goes.
“The (permanent) job is not my priority right now – I’ve got a big responsibility in the meantime and we’ll reconvene after the interim time is completed.”
Marley has stepped into her short term appointment at a difficult time for the FA and the national women’s team with the contentious circumstances around Sampson’s departure and questions set to be asked of the FA by a government select committee.
Sampson’s sacking came for what was described as “inappropriate and unacceptable” behaviour with female players in his previous role as Bristol Academy manager, while accusations of bullying and racism have also been made against him by Chelsea striker Eni Aluko.
“It’s been a difficult time for everybody,” said Marley. “I’m not privy to the (Sampson aftermath) process and that’s right – it helps because I’m not involved in any way.
“For me it’s now about making sure everyone’s back on track and focused on the football. We’ve got World Cup qualifiers coming up and I want to make sure that we’re all united with the same goals.”
Aluko has been out of the England picture for some time after being dropped by Sampson, who has also been accused by Lianne Sanderson and Katie Chapman of being left out for non-footballing reasons.
None of those players have been recalled by Marley – though Sanderson is in any case on the way back from injury at the moment – but the interim coach insisted: “No players are ever ruled out.
“The players involved in the 6-0 win against Russia last month were excellent and I want to see that continuing into this next game against tough opposition.
“I’m the only change. The staff and the players have been doing fantastically well and I’m aiming for stability and continuity.
“We’re ranked third in the world now and everybody involved is trying to make the transition from third to first.”
MATCH DETAILS:
FRANCE v ENGLAND
8pm BST, Friday 20 October
Stade du Hainaut, Valenciennes
Live on BBC Red Button
(Images: PA Images)
