FA defends appointing Mark Sampson as England women's head coach

The Football Association insists it is committed to producing top-class female coaches despite  turning to Mark Sampson to manage the England women's team .

The FA has faced criticism this week from anti-discrimination campaigner Lord Ouseley, chairman of Kick It Out, who called the appointment of Sampson “an insult to women”.

Welshman Sampson was head coach of Women's Super League side Bristol Academy before being plucked for the England job, which Hope Powell held for 15 years until being sacked after Euro 2013.

The FA contends that gender was not an issue in appointing Powell's successor, with its sole mission being to find the person best suited to the role.

The FA director of women's football, Kelly Simmons, said: “When we looked to recruit a new head coach for the England women's team following Hope's departure, we spoke to people from across the game both domestically and internationally before making any appointment. It was about appointing the best person for the job and the recruitment process was open to all.

“We were delighted to secure Mark's services and he has done a superb job, evidenced by the successful qualification campaign for the 2015 Fifa Women's World Cup.

“We want the best male and female coaches working across both games. Mo Marley and Kay Cossington are managing our England Youth teams while Marieanne Spacey is assistant coach of the England Women's team.”

Simmons says the FA “cannot become complacent” and is addressing what it still considers a shortage of women in the game, pointing to a mentoring scheme focusing on producing female players and coaches, and a B licence course aimed specifically at women's football.

Sampson, 32, has been in his England post for a year, and his team will face France, Mexico and Colombia in the group stages at the World Cup in Canada next June.