England Lionesses: The team behind the team
Written by Simon Austin — July 5, 2019
ENGLAND LIONESSES will be bidding for their second successive World Cup bronze medal when they take on Sweden in the third-place play-off in Nice.
They have taken a 15-strong staff to France for the tournament, which is their biggest backroom ever for a competition. Below are the pen pics of the coaching and performance personnel who have travelled with Head Coach Phil Neville and his players:
COACHING
HEAD COACH
Phil Neville
Nationality: English
Made 263 appearances for Man Utd during 11 years and won 59 England caps. Assistant at Old Trafford under David Moyes before leaving when Luis van Gaal took over. Named boss of the Lionesses in January 2018 and won the SheBelieves Cup earlier this year.
ASSISTANT/ OUT OF POSSESSION
Bev Priestman
Nationality: English
Worked at Everton and The FA before moving to join the New Zealand FA, where she rose to Head of Football Development by 2011. Two years later she moved to Canada Soccer as assistant coach for the senior team. Joined England Women last summer.
IN POSSESSION COACH
Geraint Twose
Nationality: Welsh
The Welshman formerly worked at the Cardiff City Academy before joining the FA as a coach educator. Now in-possession coach for England Women.
GOALKEEPER COACH/ SET PIECES
Mark Mason
Nationality: English
Academy and first team goalkeeping coach with Brighton prior to FA move. Doubles up a goalkeeper coach and set piece specialist.
PEOPLE & TEAM DEVELOPMENT
Gemma Douglas
Nationality: English
Responsible for developing culture and team support.
PERFORMANCE AND MEDICAL
HEAD PHYSICAL PERFORMANCE COACH
Dawn Scott
Nationality: English
Worked for the FA from 2001 to 2010, when, initially, “there was no sports science programme". Joined US Soccer as High Performance Coach and helped drive a period of unprecedented success, winning the 2012 Olympics and back-to-back World Cups. Appointed to this role in November 2019.
ASSISTANT PHYSICAL PERFORMANCE COACH
Dan Nisbet
Nationality: English
Consultant with the FA while also working as a strength and conditioning coach with Bristol Rovers.
LEAD PERFORMANCE DOCTOR
Ritan Mehta
Nationality: English
Has held the role for five years. Also a consultant for the Fortius Clinic.
HEAD PHYSIO
Alicia Tang
Nationality: Australian/ Chinese
Joined in November 2016. Formerly Head Physio for the Chinese Olympic team.
PHYSIO
Ros Cooke
Nationality: English
Experienced physio, having worked for English Institute of Sport for seven years.
PHYSIO
Emily Whatling
Nationality: English
Consultant. Previously worked for GB and England men's hockey.
SOFT TISSUE THERAPIST
Sophie Richardson
Nationality: English
Consultant for both England Women and Crystal Palace.
LEAD ANALYST
Alec Scott
Nationality: English
With the FA for six years. Also works with senior men and U20s.
NUTRITIONIST
Chris Rosimus
Nationality: English
Lead performance nutritionist for the FA. Direct delivery for the Women, although he did not travel to France for the World Cup.
CHEF
Gavin Austin
Nationality: English
Has held the role since February 2018. Previously worked for England and GB Hockey.
PERFORMANCE ANALYST
Emma Dughan
Nationality: English
In the role since 2013. Previously worked for Blackburn Rovers and Lancashire Cricket.
