Herdman first in line to lead new era for England Women

An era came to and end this week with England Women’s coach Hope Powell being given her marching orders after 15 years in the job.

The 46-year-old reached a European final and two World Cup quarter-finals but her side endured a torrid time at the most recent Euros in Sweden. The Three Lionesses failed to win any of their group games and exited the tournament at the first stage.

It is that failure to make any impact on the European stage that has proved the final straw for Powell, with FA chiefs citing a need for a ‘new outlook’ at the head of the women’s game.

With a new vision wanted the governing body could be set to look to a man to lead the female game.

It is increasingly likely that a male is given the opportunity to manage the side, and the man heading the list of potential candidates is John Herdman.

The current Canada manager is thought to be keen on managing his home nation and is considering abandoning his role oversees.

Herdman came to fruition for his work with the New Zealand Women’s setup, leading the under-20s to the World Cups of 2006 and 2010 as well as heading up the senior side’s 2007 and 2011 campaigns.

His impressive work in the southern hemisphere saw him secure his current job at the top of the Canadian pyramid in 2011 and he has gone from strength to strength, leading them to gold in the Pan American Games and Bronze at the London Olympics in 2012.

One issue for the FA is their commitment to promoting a native female to the top job.

However, with Mo Marley, the former Everton manager the most befitting of the English female candidates it would appear they are willing to waiver.

Should they have been determined to appoint Marley, she would already have been handed the reigns, thanks to her position as the current U-19s national coach.

The lack of urgency around the appointment implies that work is going on behind the scenes in order to secure a target, and with Herdman tied to his role in Canada, negotiations could be prolonged, leaving the vacancy unfilled for the immediate future.

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