Mo Marley announces FA retirement after 25 years with England Lionesses

Farewell: Long-serving Lionesses U19 coach Mo Marley, pictured in November 2017, is to step down from her role.
PA
Joe Krishnan7 October 2020

Mo Marley has announced her retirement from The Football Association, bringing an end to her 25-year spell with the Lionesses.

The 53-year-old will step down from her role as England Women's Under-19s coach after 20 years in the role, taking over in 2000.

Under her guidance, the Under-19s triumphed at the 2009 European Championships and finished as runners-up at the 2007, 2010 and 2013 tournaments.

Marley, who won 41 caps as a player for her country before retiring in 2001, says she wants to see other coaches to have the same opportunities as she has had.

"It is an immense privilege and pleasure to have played a part with England teams for the last 20 years," she said.

"I have been very lucky to be given an opportunity to do a job that I love and am so passionate about. I have so many amazing memories over the years working with different players and staff.

"I am very grateful for the early opportunities I was offered to develop as a coach in the international environment and feel now is the time to step down, allowing other coaches to have those opportunities and to take England teams to the next level. "

Following a brief period as interim Lionesses manager in 2017-18, Marley remained a professional development coach with England's youngsters.

FA chief executive Mark Bullingham said: "We have been extremely privileged to have benefited from Mo's tremendous talent and outstanding contribution for so many years.

"Her dedication to the coaching and development of women's football has been fantastic and she will be hugely missed."

The FA's director of women's football Sue Campbell said: "Mo was a true pioneer within the women's game and we all owe her a huge debt of gratitude for her vision, passion and commitment."

Additional reporting from the Press Association

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