Midfielder Jade Moore has welcomed Mo Marley as England’s interim head coach but says the players were kept “in the dark” about Mark Sampson’s sacking reports TONY LEIGHTON.
Photo: Jamie McPhilimey for FA
Reading star Moore was speaking at the national team’s St George’s Park training camp ahead of Friday’s friendly match against France in Valenciennes.
Sampson was dismissed on the day after last month’s 6-0 World Cup qualifying win against Russia, during which the first goal celebration demonstrated the players’ support for the coach in the aftermath of bullying and racism allegations.
The sacking came for what was described as “inappropriate and unacceptable” behaviour with female players in his previous role as Bristol Academy manager.
There has been no comment from England’s players in the four weeks since the FA decision to dispense with Sampson’s services.
But Moore said: “From the players’ point of view we’ve been in the dark – we’ve not known the full ins and outs of the situation, that’s why we’ve not spoken.
“After the Russia game we all had to get back to our clubs and we weren’t aware (of Sampson’s sacking) until it was on the news.”
Photo: Charlotte Wilson for FA
Following the shock ending to the Sampson era, which saw England reach the semi-finals of both the 2015 World Cup and this year’s European Championship, Under-19’s coach Marley will take charge while the FA undergoes the task of finding a permanent replacement for the departed head coach.
Moore, who was part of the Marley team that won the 2009 Under-19 Euros said: “We backed Mark and what we were building under him was special.
“We’re in a bit of limbo now, but we’re still very together as a squad and we all know Mo because most of us came through the Under-19’s with her.
“That familiarity will help Mo and us – it should certainly be an easier transition than if someone completely new to the players had come in on an interim basis.”
Marley’s first task is to inspire a repeat victory over France after the history-making win against Les Bleues at the Euro 17 finals in the Netherlands.
The 1-0 quarter-final victory was the first time in 43 years – and at the 20th attempt – that England had beaten their nemesis.
“That win at the Euros was really big for us,” said Moore. “It was one of a few items of history that we ticked off in the tournament.
