England under-21 boss
Stuart Pearce has been handed the reins of the men’s Olympic Team GB football team for London 2012, with
Hope Powell set to lead the first ever women’s side.
The former Manchester City manager will guide a football team from Great Britain at the Olympics for the first time since the Rome games in 1960, and the FA are confident that Pearce, and England women’s coach Powell, are the right candidates for the job.
‘I am delighted for both Hope and Stuart that they will lead us into next summer’s Olympic football tournament,’ said FA Chairman David Bernstein.
‘With their excellent track record and experience I am convinced we have chosen the best coaches for these positions.‘These are important appointments given the unique nature of Team GB competing at London 2012.
‘It will be a massive opportunity to take football into the Olympic arena, and for a group of players to take part in a truly special tournament on home soil.’
Manchester United’s Scottish boss Sir Alex Ferguson, and Tottenham’s Harry Redknapp were also mooted for the position, with the Spurs man believed to have been particularly keen to take the role.
FACTFILE:
STUART PEARCE (age 49)
Current job:England Under-21 manager
Previous experience:Played for Wealdstone, Coventry, Nottingham Forest, Newcastle, West Ham and Manchester City.
78 England caps, and featured in 1998 World Cup and two European Championships.
Became City coach, then manager. Sacked in May 2007, three months after taking up part-time role of England U21 boss.
Best result: Guided England to 2009 Under-21 Championship final in Gothenburg.
Worst result: England U21s crushed 4-0 in final by Germany three days later.
Most famous for: Crying after seeing his penalty saved in 1990 World Cup semi-final shootout against West Germany – and laying the ghost to rest at Wembley six years later as England ousted Spain in the quarter-finals of Euro ’96.
Did you know?Pearce was a trained electrician when he signed for Forest.
HOPE POWELL (age 44)
Current job: England women’s head coach.
Previous experience: Played for Millwall Lionesses, Fulham and Croydon.
Won 66 England caps over 15-year international career including appearances at the 1995 World Cup.
Named England women’s head coach in 1998.
In 2003 became first woman to gain UEFA Pro Licence, studying alongside Pearce.
Best result: Guided England to 2009 European Championship final for the first time in 25 years with a 2-1 extra-time victory over Holland in Tampere, Finland.
Worst result: Hopes were shattered as ruthless Germany ran out 6-2 winners in Helsinki final four days later.
Most famous for: Becoming England women’s first full-time head coach – and holding the position for the last 13 years.
Did you know?She is the sister of Dirty Pretty Things and former Libertines drummer Gary Powell.
