Phil Neville's Lionesses departure confirmed but no decision over 2021 Olympics

The news that Neville would not sign a new contract when his currently deal expires in the summer of 2021 had leaked out earlier in the week, and the Football Association has now confirmed it is the case,

But the plan is for him to remain in place until then, and he could still be manager of the British Olympic team, as was originally planned.

The former Manchester United and England player had been due to take charge of the team at this summer's Olympics, and the 2021 European Championships, which featured six matches in South Yorkshire. But with both tournaments put back a year, Neville has decided he will not last the course.

“In light of the impact of current global events on the sporting calendar and in the best interests of the England women's team, both parties were in agreement that our shared priority was to ensure the Lionesses have continuity of coaching going into the home Euro and looking towards the 2023 FIFA World Cup,” said the FA's director of women's football, Sue Campbell .

“Once football returns after this difficult period, Phil will continue his work with the Lionesses on the further development of his squad.

“I will support him fully with that important task whilst moving forward with the crucial succession planning process.

“We will now discuss next steps with the British Olympic Association and the home nations with regard to Team GB Football and we are not in a position to make any further comment at this time.”

Neville took over England in January 2018, his first job in senior management, and led them to fourth at the 2019 World Cup, and has been under increasing pressure since. His team have lost seven of their last 11 matches and shortly before the lockdown they squad failed to defend the She Believes Cup he led them to 12 months earlier.

Neville took a youthful squad to the tournament in America, and stressed he wants to continue developing it before handing over to his successor.

“I am looking forward to getting back to work with the team as soon as possible,” he said. “We have a fantastic squad of players and there is plenty to work on as we look to progress as a team going into 2021.”

Rotherham United's New York Stadium is due to hold three group matches and a quarter-final at the next European Championships, which will now be played in July 2022. Sheffield United's Bramall Lane is set for three group games and a semi-final. The rescheduling of matches is not expected to change that.Neville's assistant Bev Priestman is the early favourite to succeed him, with two-time USA World Cup-winning coach Jill Ellis and Chelsea's Emma Hayes also heavily backed, despite the latter saying she is happy at club level.

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