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      Hope Powell happy to see women in England top jobs after Phil Neville’s Inter Miami move

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      HOPE POWELL says she is excited to see two female coaches take charge of the Lionesses following Phil Neville’s departure. 
      And Neville opting to quit as national manager for Inter Miami came as no surprise to the former England Women’s boss. 

      Hope Powell believes Hege Riise and Rhian Wilkinson will be ‘energisers’ for the LionessesCredit: Rex Features

      Hege Riise will lead the Lionesses training camp in February Credit: AP:Associated Press

      Powell, who led the Lionesses to the final of Euro 2009, was reacting to news of Hege Riise’s and Rhian Wilkinson’s appointments on a temporary basis. 
      Riise, 51, will take charge of the Lionesses training camp in February with Wilkinson, 38, serving as her No2. 
      And Seagulls gaffer Powell, whose Brighton aces will play Manchester City, on Sunday believes the duo will bring new energy to the national team. 
      Powell, 54, said: “Am I surprised [by Phil Neville leaving]? Absolutely not. 

      “I think the job in the American league has been mooted for a while. 
      “They [Riise and Wilkinson] are two new coaches, both very good players and experienced internationally. 
      “I know Rhian Wilkinson very well. I mentored her while she was on a programme with Fifa. 
      “I think I’m more pleased that it’s two females deserving of the opportunity who are being given the chance. 

      “That’s really pleasing to see and it bodes well hopefully for the future. 
      “To see the next generation of English female coaches coming through would be great. 
      “I recognise that it is in the interim, I have no idea how that looks going forward for international games, but credit to them both. They’re energisers. 
      “I briefly had an exchange of text messages with Rhian. She is absolutely delighted. And I’m just really pleased with both of them.”

      Hege Riise has been hired by the FA following Phil Neville’s appointment ast head coach of David Beckham’s Inter Miami

      Wilkinson was part of a Canada side that defeated Team GB in the football quarter-finals of the London 2012 Olympics. 
      The retired full-back – capped 181 times – helped the Canadians win back-to-back bronze medals at the 2012 and 2016 games before taking up coaching in 2017. 
      And Riise, who served as head coach of Norwegian giants LSK Kvinner from 2017, is a World Cup and European championship winner and an Olympic gold medallist. 

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      Casey Stoney dismisses Team GB job talk and looks to Man Utd future after signing Norway defender

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      CASEY STONEY says she has no plans to coach Team GB’s team at the rescheduled Tokyo Olympics. 
      The Manchester United manager had been linked with the role Phil Neville was due to take on before he became Inter Miami’s new boss. 

      Casey Stoney says she has no plans to lead Team GB’s team at the delayed Tokyo Olympics Credit: PA:Press Association

      Stoney and Emma Hayes have been talked of as possible candidates for Team GB’s head coach roleCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Former England ace Claire Rafferty is among those who talked up the possibility of Stoney leading Team GB’s women’s football team.
      And Chelsea gaffer Emma Hayes is another big name who has been spoken of as a potential candidate with the games due to take place this summer.
      Stoney told BBC Sport: “Anyone who takes [the Team GB job], it would be a fantastic opportunity. 
      “I have been a captain at the Olympics and it is an incredible tournament and an amazing experience.

      “The summer is a big period for me as a manager to make sure I have done the recruitment I need and to make sure plans are in place for next season.” 
      United, who suffered their first defeat of the season with a loss at Chelsea, are due to take on Birmingham City.  
      And Stoney’s side – who are currently second and level on points with the champs – have been boosted by the signing of Maria Thorisdottir. 
      The Norway international joined the Red Devils from Chelsea on a two-and-a-half-year deal. 

      Man Utd have strengthened their squad with the signing of ex-Chelsea defender Maria Thorisdottir Credit: Getty Images – Getty

      And the versatile defender, who has been capped 46 times by her country, says she is looking to win silverware with her new club. 
      Thorisdottir told Man Utd’s website: “I have big ambitions. I like to win, so of course I’ve signed here to hopefully lift trophies in both league, cups and the Champions League, to qualify there.
      “I heard a lot of good things about Casey and I think that it’s a big positive she’s been a player herself. 
      “I had a really good conversation with her and I think that had a big part of my decision [to join]. 
      “They’ve only been in the league for two years and it’s impressive what she’s done and the rest of her staff members. 

      Thorisdottir says she is looking forward to winning trophies with UnitedCredit: PA:Empics Sport
      “Manchester United, back in Norway, is massive. There are so many fans and I think also having a female player sign for United is huge. 
      “For young girls back in Norway it is big. They can see that it is a chance for them as well.”
      “I’m really impressed with how far they’ve come already and it’s a young group of players, so I think the future is bright and to be a part of that, I can’t wait.”
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      Everton seal Jill Scott loan deal with Man City ace joining the Toffees until season end

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      JILL SCOTT is swapping Manchester for Merseyside with Everton confirming a sensational loan swoop for the England legend.
      Scott, 36, will return to the club for the second time in her career following a seven-year trophy-winning stint. 

      England legend Jill Scott will return to Everton on a loan deal Credit: Getty Images – Getty

      And it comes days after City announced the signing of USA centre-back Abby Dahlkemper.
      Scott, who played for the Toffees from 2006 to 2013, was part of an Everton side who won the Women’s Premier Cup in 2008. 
      The Sunderland-born defender beat Arsenal heroines Alex Scott and Karen Carner to an FA Player’s Player of the Year Award the year before.
      Toffees boss Willie Kirk, whose team play Tottenham on Sunday, described the move for Scott as a statement of intent. 

      Kirk said: “She was a pivotal figure at Everton when the Women’s Super League was first formed and went on to become a significant part of Manchester City establishing themselves as one of the top clubs in this country.
      “Her achievements in the game are incredible, and that was recognised with her MBE in the 2020 New Year’s Honours list.  
      “She is very excited to join us and I expect her to challenge and raise our standards, adding to the good work we are doing.
      “It may only be a loan deal until the end of the season but I feel she can have a long-term impact on the journey that we are currently on.

      “I’m really looking forward to working with her and it is another sign of our intent.”
      Scott, who played 114 times for Everton netting 21 goals, made a move to Man City in the summer of 2013. 
      The Lioness, who reached the World Cup semis with England in 2019, has won seven trophies with the top-flight giants including last term’s FA Cup. 
      And the centre-back – who has been capped 149 times – is second only to Fara Williams in the rankings for the total number of England appearances. 

      Jill Scott’s move to Everton comes days after Man City announced the signing of Abby Dahlkemper Credit: Kenny Ramsay – The Sun Glasgow
      Scott’s move to Everton is the second high profile transfer deal involving the Merseyside club this month.
      This week, Ligue 1 Women’s champs Lyon announced the signing of former Toffees ace Damarris Egurrola. 
      The Champions League winners swooped for the Spain midfielder after triggering her £100,000 release clause. 

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      Leicester boss warns aces not to get ‘too cocky’ and hails form of women’s squad and Premier League side

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      JONATHAN MORGAN wants his high-flying Foxes to ‘stay humble’ as they target their eleventh win in the women’s second tier.
      And the Leicester Women’s boss was full of praise for his players and Brendan Rodgers’ aces following their impressive runs this month. 

      Jonathan Morgan wants his Leicester players to stay focused as they look to extend their lead in the Women’s Championship Credit: Getty Images – Getty

      Natasha Flint and her Leicester team-mates are due to play Crystal PalaceCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Leicester –  who face Crystal Palace on Sunday – have been on fire in the Women’s Championship winning seven of their last seven games on the bounce. 
      Results include a victory against Liverpool which saw Morgan’s promotion chasers open up an 11-point gap on the former WSL giants. 
      Morgan said: “We had a team meeting this week and we reiterated the message ‘be confident, and believe in yourself, but don’t let yourself become arrogant or cocky’. 
      “At the end of the day nobody has won the league in January have they? 

      “We’ve just got to keep ticking off the victories one at a time.
      “That’s the message that we’re constantly repeating to the girls along with making sure they keep working as hard in training to be the best possible versions of themselves.
      “Just as James Maddison said in his interview after the men’s side won against Chelsea on Tuesday, we are a club that likes to go under the radar. 

      Jonathan Morgan is pleased to see Brendan Rodgers’ players challenging for the Premier League titleCredit: Reuters

      “I feel that’s the DNA that’s within both the men’s and the women’s sides. 

      “Both of us know that we’ve got to keep working hard, and there is still a long slog to go to try and win titles.”
      Leicester, who are targeting a place in the league cup finals for the first time in their history, are due to take on Bristol City in the semis in February. 

      We have got two players who are both close to signing and we’re hoping to get both over the line in the next couple of days
      Jonathan Morgan

      And the club are still wary of their promotion rivals who include a Durham side yet to lose a Championship game this term. 
      Morgan added:”Durham are grinding out victories just like us. They’re finding that little bit of brilliance in tough games just like ourselves. 
      “We play them on February 14. Fingers-crossed, we can open up the gap to six points then if we beat them. 
      “But it’s going to be very difficult and I think this will go down to the end of the season, right down to the wire.”
      Leicester, who have been relatively fortunate with injuries this, are looking to strengthen their squad this month. 
      Morgan says the club will sign two new players before transfer deadline day this month with both due to be announced on Friday. 

      Unbeaten Durham are three points behind Leicester in the Women’s ChampionshipCredit: Represented by ZUMA Press, Inc.
      Morgan told SunSport: “We have got two players who are close to signing and we’re hoping to get both over the line in the next couple of days. 
      “We’re still going to stick to our DNA of trying to build a sustainable future with the players we look to bring in.
      “And hopefully people will see them as good, young talents who can come and help us to secure the title.”

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      Man City 2 Chelsea 4: Emma Hayes sings Sophie Ingle’s praises after Blues win Conti Cup thriller

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      SOPHIE INGLE gave Emma Hayes the tingles after her Chelsea juggernauts ended Manchester City’s cup dreams in a 4-2 thriller. 
      And the Wales skipper is being urged to go on more rampaging runs after her thunder strike helped Chelsea beat City on their home turf for the first time in nine years. 

      Wales ace Sophie Ingle netted Chelsea’s fourth goal against Man City in the Blues’ cup victoryCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Chelsea ended their nine-year hoodoo at City’s home ground with a thrilling Conti Cup quarter-final winCredit: PA:Press Association

      Additional goals from Melanie Leupolz, Guro Reiten and a superb Niamh Charles shot were enough to see City knocked out after the rain-sodden clash. 
      Hayes said: “In Sophie, this football club has had a more defensive midfielder and I am challenging her – for the next level she has to do more. 
      “And that includes more marauding runs forward in the right moments. 
      “If you wanted to show your manager what they have asked of you, that’s a great way to respond and she showed her class and her quality. 

      “I was disappointed to give away two terrible goals. 
      “But then with players like Niamh Charles and the work she does in training to get herself into that position, she is priming herself for that moment.
      “This is a real victory for new additions to the squad.
      “And the depth of the squad is the reason why we are going through to the next round. 

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      Niamh Charles superb strike helped Chelsea through to extra timeCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      “The whole dressing room will be over the moon for Niamh – just like they will be for Sophie Ingle – because sometimes the quiet ones don’t get the credit. 
      Before the encounter the Academy Stadium had been a fortress, with City’s last defeat being a loss to Atletico Madrid in September 2018.
      But it was the champs who took the lead with Germany star Leupolz rifling in the Blues’ first goal close to half time. 
      City refused to bow and levelled through Chloe Kelly with the England ace dispossessing Magdalena Erikkson seven minutes into the second-half.
      And it looked as if the hosts were destined for the Conti Cup semis after Lauren Hemp volleyed them ahead in the 84th minute.
      But super sub Charles came to the Blues rescue with an exquisitely controlled looping shot, levelling for the visitors with a minute to go of normal time. 

      And extra time efforts from Guro Reiten – who would later tee up Ingle for her goal wrapped things up for the Blues. 
      Wednesday night’s victory means Chelsea have picked up seven wins in a row across all competitions. 
      A semi-final clash with West Ham or Durham awaits the league cup holders.
      City, who will be hoping for better fortunes in the league, will take on Brighton on Sunday. 
      And Alan Mahon who was deputising for City gaffer Gareth Taylor says the loss was a tough one to swallow. 

      Man City will be looking to bounce back when they take on Brighton in the WSL Credit: Getty Images – Getty
      Mahon said: “It’s difficult to take. Chelsea came and played very well and it’s always very close when we play them. 
      “It’s a bit frustrating at the last minute that we couldn’t get the win over the line. 
      “We have a game on Sunday. We can only control the controllable. So the girls will rest, regroup and get ready for another big match.” 

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      Birmingham’s Women’s Super League clash with Everton axed due to waterlogged pitch

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      BIRMINGHAM have been forced to scrap one of their league fixtures for the second time this month. 
      The Midlands giants have had to reschedule their match with Everton due to waterlogged turf at their home ground. 

      Birmingham’s clash with Everton has been axed due to a waterlogged pitch at Damson ParkCredit: Represented by ZUMA Press, Inc.

      Earlier today the Met Office issued a severe warning for the West Midlands with residents warned to expect an entire day of continuous rain in some areas. 
      On its website, Birmingham City states the pitch at the SportNation.bet Stadium had been ‘deemed unplayable’ following an inspection. 
      The club says a new date for clash with the Toffees, who are currently fifth in the table, will be announced in due course. 
      The postponement means Carla Ward’s side, who are ninth, will not play their next WSL game until January 12.  

      And that encounter will be an evening derby with Aston Villa who are battling to avoid a drop back into the Championship. 
      Birmingham, who are currently four points ahead of their local rivals, have two games in hand on Villa.
      Ward says her squad are dealing with ‘freak injuries’ although they would have had 14 players available for the Everton match this evening.
      And the Damson Park boss revealed she planned to bring in two 16-year-old academy kids to boost her squad numbers. 

      Ahead of the axed clash Ward said: “We have got a small squad and we are trying to do everything we can to keep them fit and ready. 

      Carla Ward’s players will take on Aston Villa next in the WSL Credit: Represented by ZUMA Press, Inc.

      “It’s really tough when you have got your key players out. 
      We are missing Connie Schofield, Christie Murray, we’re missing Veatrika Sarri, Abi Grant, Heidi Logan and Lily Simpkin. It
      “We have had it tough for the majority of the season so we just have to get on with it and trust in the youngsters.”

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      Football chiefs could force new Lionesses boss Wiegman to move to UK as Dutch star prepares to take over from Neville

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      FOOTBALL authorities could call on Sarina Wiegman to make a permanent move to the UK when she begins her England Women’s head coach job.
      The Daily Mail claims the FA may insist on the move due to worries over her intentions to journey to work from the Netherlands during the pandemic. 

      Reports claim the FA may insist Sarina Wiegman moves to the UKCredit: Rex Features

      Wiegman, who is currently boss of Netherlands Women, is due to start her Lionesses role after the Tokyo Olympics in August. 
      On Tuesday the FA  announced Hege Riise, 51, as England Women’s interim head coach after Phil Neville left to become manager of David Beckham’s Inter Miami team. 
      Last August following her appointment Wiegman, 51, revealed she had no plans to relocate to England and would spend half her time in her country.
      The Mail says the FA insisted they were content with the Holland coach’s proposals at the time

      Officials believed a commute from the Netherlands would not stop her spending three days a week at St George’s Park and watching WSL games on weekends.
      However, it is thought that such an arrangement could be up in the air with international travel in a state of flux due to the Covid-19 pandemic. 
      Since January 15 all overseas visitors arriving in the Netherlands have been asked to provide proof they have tested negative for the coronavirus in the previous 72 hours. 
      This week the Government introduced new restrictions ordering all arrivals to the UK to quarantine after they have provided negative test results prior to their departure. 

      Elite athletes and sports team managers have been exempted, but this is on the proviso they travel by private plane. 
      The Mail reports the FA would be unable to cover chartered flight costs for Wiegman to commute on a weekly basis. 

      Norwegian coach Hege Riise has become England Women’s interim head coachCredit: AP:Associated Press

      England men’s boss Gareth Southgate and his staff have been attending several live matches each week during the pandemic 
      It is thought Wiegman would be expected to do same.
      FA officials have reportedly told the Mail they are monitoring the situation and are keeping in close contact with in-coming Lionesses boss. 
      Wiegman’s appointment has been met with excitement in the women’s game over the past year.

      Sarina Wiegman is due to start her job as the Lionesses head coach after the Tokyo OlympicsCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      The former defender made history in 2016 when she became the first woman in the Netherlands to coach a professional men’s side at Sparta Rotterdam. 
      In 2019 Wiegman led the Netherlands to the finals of the Women’s World Cup where they were beaten by the United States. 
      And the Dutch boss currently holds the record for the most wins by a coach of a Netherlands national football team.

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      Scotland star Rachel Corsie ends Birmingham loan ahead of club’s clash with Everton

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      RACHEL CORSIE is set for a National Women’s Soccer League return with Birmingham confirming the early end of her loan spell.  
      Her move comes as a blow with Carla Ward hoping to retain the Scotland star until January 28 with her squad’s injury struggles.

      Rachel Corsie is set to bring an early end to her Birmingham loan spellCredit: Kenny Ramsay – The Sun Glasgow

      Corsie, 31, had agreed to a half-season temporary switch from Utah Royals after Covid wrecked last year’s NWSL season.
      However the Scotland skipper is due to return to the States following her parent club being taken over by new owners Kansas City. 
      This means the defender will head back to the USA as a Kansas player ahead of their upcoming NWSL campaign.
      Ward, 37, said: “Kansas City have recalled Rachel and ended her loan early. 

      “Naturally we would have wanted Rachel to stay for a longer term, but it was out of our hands and out of our control.
      “I told her I don’t think she realises the impact she has had on staff and players. 
      “She is exceptional in the way she trains, the way she conducts herself and what she brings to the team.” 
      Corsie told Birmingham City’s website: “When I came back to England I wasn’t sure what to expect. 

      “I had a good feeling (about Birmingham) from the conversation I had with Carla. 
      “My time here has been something I will remember really positively.
      “The girls are all great and they made me feel really welcome.” 
      Corsie, who has 120 caps for Scotland, made 11 WSL appearances this term netting once for Birmingham. 
      Although the Scot is departing, Blues have been boosted with the arrivals of Emily Murphy on loan from Chelsea and Ruesha Littlejohn from Leicester City.
      Both players, who made their Birmingham debuts on Sunday, will be available for the club’s upcoming clash with Everton, who are fifth.

      Ruesha Littlejohn, 30, has joined Birmingham from Leicester City until the end of the seasonCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Chelsea striker Emily Murphy, 17, is on loan at Birmingham Credit: Represented by ZUMA Press, Inc.
      The club have also bid farewell to Destiny Toussaint with the midfielder moving to Coventry United after six WSL appearances this season. 
      Toussaint’s return to the Championship strugglers will be her second stint with the team following a three-year spell from 2012 to 2015. 
      The club are currently second from bottom and battling to avoid the drop into the third tier of the women’s game.

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