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England assistant coach Chris Powell leaves his role with Three Lions as former Chelsea and Netherlands striker Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink is lined-up to replace him in Gareth Southgate’s set-up
Chris Powell is leaving the England coaching staff with Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink lined-up to replace him.
Sportsmail exclusively revealed on January 24 that Powell’s place in Gareth Southgate’s squad was uncertain after his placement on an FA scheme that ensured BAME representation across men’s teams was ending.
And sources have now confirmed that Powell has left his position with England, with Hasselbaink, who is Dutch, emerging as a strong candidate to replace him.
Powell’s initial contract with England was due to run until Euro 2020, but Southgate was so impressed with the 53-year-old that his deal was extended until the end of last year’s World Cup.
Under the FA and PFA’s Elite Coaching Placement Programme (ECCP), launched in 2018, England teams across all levels are committed to offering opportunities to BAME individuals, with a view to increasing diversity throughout top level football.
Chris Powell is leaving England’s coaching staff with Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink lined-up to replace him
Sources have now confirmed that Powell has left his position with England, with Hasselbaink, who is Dutch, emerging as a strong candidate to replace him
Powell’s initial deal with England was due to run until Euro 2020, but Southgate was so impressed with the 53-year-old that his deal was extended until end of last year’s World Cup
There had been a acknowledgement that the senior team could benefit from the continuity of retaining Powell, given his influence in what has been a successful backroom team.
However, the original principles of the ECPP was to provide BAME coaches with an opportunity to work at the highest level and extending Powell’s tenure into a third major tournament may contravene the essence of the project.
Whether Hasselbaink’s potential appointment is linked to the ECPP scheme is yet to be confirmed – but his possible arrival will ensure that – together with Paul Nevin – there is BAME representation on England’s coaching staff.
The England team’s performance psychologist Ian Mitchell has also understood to have departed. Mitchell has worked under Southgate since 2018.
