The coaching appointments for England teams in the 2020-21 season have been confirmed with the conclusion of a St. George’s Park technical directorate restructure that includes a new-look FA Education.
The news comes with development sides set to return to action from October, in addition to the senior men and women and MU21s, who were all involved in September matches. There has also been training camps for the WU19s and WU17s at the national football centre in the past fortnight.
Lee Carsley and Justin Cochrane have been appointed as the new phase leads for the men’s U20s/U19s/U18s (Professional Development Phase) and U17s/U16s/U15s (Youth Development Phase) respectively, with the two coaches also taking the role of head coach for the oldest age group in each phase under the guidance of assistant technical director John McDermott.
Carsley’s new role means an opportunity for Aaron Danks to replace him as the MU21s assistant coach to Aidy Boothroyd as the Young Lions finish their U21 EURO qualifying campaign in October and November with the aim of reaching next summer's Finals.
The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on football has hit every level of the game and had a bearing on our planning.
But that has not altered the wider aim to develop coaches at all levels, support the player pathway and give England teams the best chance for success.
We will continue to field men’s teams at every age group, while the Elite Coach Placement Programme in tandem with the PFA that has included Chris Powell and Michael Johnson embedded with the senior men and MU21s respectively will continue.
Les Reed, FA technical director, said: “We are looking forward in full recognition of the challenging times facing all sports, not just football.
"The aim is to identify our competitive advantages and turn them into opportunities for us to win. Our age-group coaches are raring to get out on the grass once again and continue the progress of recent years.
“We've made great strides during the last four years and have put firm foundations in place. Our core England principles remain but they will continue to be reviewed as part of our ongoing evolution to meet the changing demands of winning international football and educating coaches. We have an opportunity to emerge stronger and be even more effective in the years to come."
Senior Development Phase
Phase lead: Les Reed
Men’s senior manager: Gareth Southgate
Assistant coach: Steve Holland
MU21s head coach: Aidy Boothroyd
MU21s assistant coach: Aaron Danks
MU21s goalkeeper coach: Tim Dittmer*
Professional Development Phase
Phase lead: Lee Carsley (+MU20 head coach)
MU19s head coach: Ian Foster
MU18s head coach: Kevin Betsy
Assistant coach: Andy Edwards**
Goalkeeping phase lead: Danny Alcock
Youth Development Phase
Phase lead: Justin Cochrane (+MU17s head coach)
MU16s head coach: Rob Edwards
MU15s head coach: Lee Skyrme
Assistant coach: Tom Curtis***
Goalkeeping phase lead: Sam Meek
* These staff are responsible for leading their department’s service to the men’s pathway as a whole, in addition to Phase/Team leadership responsibilities.
** Additional coaching support will be provided to PDP teams by Rob Edwards and Jimmy Gilligan (Coach Educator).
*** Additional coaching support will be provided to YDP teams by Will Antwi, Paul McGuiness (Coach Educator) and Paul Davis (Coach Educator)
The England Women’s head coaches were confirmed earlier this month in advance of the September camp at the national football centre, with Rehanne Skinner stepping up to assist Phil Neville with the seniors and Bev Priestman set to lead the Young Lionesses’ challenge at the FIFA WU17 World Cup to be played in India next February.
They will all be working with Kay Cossington, the head of women’s technical, with the approach forming part of the new women’s strategy through to 2024 and its stated intention of giving the Lionesses the best chance for success at the 2023 World Cup.
Sarina Wiegman was appointed in August to lead the senior team from next summer, starting with the 2022 EURO.
Baroness Sue Campbell, director of women’s football, added: “In these very challenging times, we're delighted to be back working together with our England players.
"We've worked hard during the pandemic to ensure that our talent pathway through to the seniors has never been more joined-up. With three years of major tournaments to look forward to in the Olympics, the EURO and the World Cup, we're determined to give our players and coaches all the tools they need to compete at the highest level.
“We know the power of the Lionesses to drive participation and the knock-on benefits for the wider women’s game are there for all to see. As we move forward we need to ensure that our talent pathway is accessible to a diverse range of young people who we can nurture and support to achieve their potential.”
Senior Development Phase
Women’s senior head coach: Phil Neville
Women's senior assistant coach: Rehanne Skinner*
Women's senior goalkeeping coach: Mark Mason**
Professional Development Phase
Performance manager: Lois Fidler
WU19s head coach – Mo Marley
WU19s assistant coach – Emma Coates (mat)
WU18s head coach – Bev Priestman*
WU18s assistant coach – John Griffith
Youth Development Phase
Performance manager: Gavin Step
WU17s head coach: Gemma Grainger
WU17s assistant coach: Lucy Faraday
WU16s head coach: Lydia Bedford
WU16s assistant coach: John Salomon
* As part of their continued professional development, Bev Priestman will spend a season as head coach within the PDP taking the WU18 to the postponed FIFA WU17 World Cup, and Rehanne Skinner will join the Senior Women as assistant coach. Rehanne will return to the PDP as head coach at the end of the season.
** Mark Mason will remain as Senior Women's GK coach, with additional responsibility as strategic lead for the women’s GK programme including projects such as set plays across all national teams. Mark will be supported by Jamie Annerson who will continue as Women’s GK pathway lead, responsible for GK player and coach development across our four age group national teams, as well as delivering as a GK coach with a competition age group.
The coaching appointments coincide with the launch of FA Education’s new four-year strategy and the pledge to support football coaches in the role that they do, at every level of the game. There has been a shift towards adding digital resources to the array of direct options available as part of an enhanced offering that can suit any individual needs.
Lucy Pearson, head of FA Education, said: “We're committed to providing coaches with what they need in a way that works for them. Whether the coach wants to learn through a webinar, an article, an online community, a face-to-face session, a social feed or by being pitchside with a group of other coaches – all these things will be part of our modernised offering.
“These are challenging times for us all: our new strategy will help coaches in the best way possible to provide safe, fun and engaging football experiences for players, helping them to develop their skills and to benefit from all the brilliant things that football can provide.”
