HOPE POWELL is part of England’s backroom team at the 2023 FIFA U20 World Cup currently taking place in Argentina.

The former England women’s head coach is to support Ian Foster and his coaching team as a technical advisor.

Powell will bring significant tournament experience to the Young Lions after a distinguished managerial career which included 15 years in charge of the Lionesses between 1998 and 2013.

The 56-year-old led her nation to four UEFA Women’s European Championships, including the 2009 final, and two FIFA Women’s World Cups. She also took charge of Team GB at the 2012 London Olympics and was head coach of Barclays Women’s Super League side Brighton & Hove Albion from 2017 to 2022.

Having spent 45 years in the game, Powell is one of the country’s leading coach educators across men’s and women’s football working with the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA).

I’m excited by the prospect of working with Hope at a major tournament and I know that her understanding of football at this level will be of great benefit to the staff and most importantly, the players

MU20 head coach Ian Foster

The appointment is supported by the England Elite Coach Programme, a partnership between The FA and the PFA that aims to create opportunities for support staff and coaches from under-represented groups to work with the England national teams.

MU20 head coach Foster said: “I’m absolutely delighted that we’ve been able to bring Hope on board for our FIFA Men’s U20 World Cup as technical advisor. I’ve known Hope since 2014 when we completed our LMA Diploma together. Her vast experience of international football and the knowledge she has from working with FIFA will be invaluable to us.

“I’m excited by the prospect of working with Hope at a major tournament and I know that her understanding of football at this level will be of great benefit to the staff and most importantly, the players.”

John McDermott, The FA’s technical director, added: “I have known Hope for over 20 years and she is an industry leading practitioner. With her outstanding work ethic and expertise across a wide range of football and leadership areas, Hope will provide this England group with invaluable support ahead of what I’m sure will be a unique experience for all of our players and staff in Argentina.”

England are alongside Tunisia, Uruguay and Iraq in Group E of the FIFA U20 World Cup, which got underway on Saturday 20 May.