Female manager set to succeed Mark Sampson but search for new England women’s boss will entail greater scrutiny

The search for the next England women’s team manager will entail far greater scrutiny, after the FA’s failure to spot early enough the “inappropriate and unacceptable behaviour” of the sacked Mark Sampson.

Sampson, whose alleged inappropriate relationships took place during his time in charge of Bristol’s Women’s Super League club, went through the FA interview process with flying colours.

Shortly after his appointment I was told by Adrian Bevington, then the FA’s head of communications, it was the best job interview on which he had ever sat. Sampson went on to prove himself on the pitch, taking England to two successive major championship semi-finals and lifting them from 11th to third in the world rankings.

Meanwhile, he was under investigation by a safe-guarding panel that in 2015 cleared him to continue in his job, though he was sent on a development and mentoring programme.

The situation finally unravelled when FA chief executive Martin Glenn probed further into the panel’s report, leading to yesterday’s sacking of the manager.

Sampson is also still facing allegations of bullying and racism, of which he has been found not guilty by two investigations. A third looks certain to be opened and the FA are also set to face the House of Commons Culture, Media and Sport committee next month to explain their investigative process.

It is against this background that the FA will start their search for a new women’s team manager, though they are likely to make an interim appointment while they begin looking at candidates for the permanent role.

England’s next game is a friendly against France in Valenciennes on October 20.

Ex-Arsenal striker Marieanne Spacey, who was Sampson’s assistant before taking charge of the ‘Next Gen’ squad shortly before the summer’s European Championship finals, would be an obvious choice. However, the FA may turn to the long-time Under-19 team manager Mo Marley, who brought through practically the whole of the current senior squad.

Brent Hills, who served as interim head coach following the sacking of Hope Powell in August 2013, has recently left the FA but knows all of the senior players well and could be called back as a short-term appointment.

Canada’s England-born coach John Herdman and Watford’s former Estonia manager Keith Bonas both have extensive international experience, while Boston Breakers’ Matt Beard won the Super League twice with Liverpool before moving to America.

Given the Sampson situation, it is likely the FA will appoint a female to the role.

Chelsea’s Emma Hayes, who has won the Super League and FA Cup with the Blues as well as having coaching experience with Arsenal and two American clubs, would also come into the running in that case.

Another ex-Arsenal coach, Laura Harvey, would be a serious contender if she was willing to return from successfully managing the American club Seattle Reign for the last three years.

Tony Leighton has been covering English women’s football for nearly 20 years

Bookmaker's odds

• Nick Cushing 7/4

• Brent Hills 9/4

• John Griffiths 11/4

• Mo Marley 3/1

• Hope Powell 9/2

• Emma Hayes 8/1

• Luke Swindlehurst 9/1

• Kelly Smith 16/1

• Scott Rodgers 16/1

• Sue Smith 20/1

Odds provided by Betfair.