Phil Neville's hiring shows the flaws of the Football Association, and why reform is much needed

In what was one of his final acts of 2017, Dan Ashworth admitted that “lessons have to be learned” by the FA in the wake of a difficult and damaging 12 months.

Ashworth was referring to the handling of Mark Sampson’s dismissal as manager of the England Women’s team.

“I’m a man of high values and morals, of professional integrity,” Ashworth said in October last year. “My integrity, values, professional standing would mean I can separate my personal views from my professional role.”

Ashworth was comfortable acting as both witness and judge during the inquiry into Eniola Aluko’s complaints about Sampson. His own self assurance denoted the organisation as ignorant and out of touch, as Aluko fought admirably to prove her integrity.

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Sampson was initially cleared after two separate investigations into his comments, only for a third to rule that he had made discriminatory remarks to Aluko and Drew Spence.

“I finally feel vindicated,” Aluko told the Guardian last year.

As the final chapter of 2017 was written it was clear some kind of reform was needed. Ashworth’s job was put under intense scrutiny, with former FA director Dame Heather Rabbatts describing his position as “untenable”.

“He’s been there since 2012 and these issues have been raised – a lack of diversity, a lack of black coaches, the issue of Mark Sampson and Eni, these have all happened,” said Rabbatts. “Something has to change. One of the reasons I left [the FA] slightly early in terms of being the first person of colour, the first woman on that board, is that this issue of the national football centre at St George’s Park, which should be leading best practice, is a monoculture. That’s not acceptable.”

Those in power, unsurprisingly, remained, and if their first act of 2018 is anything to go by it seems the lessons that Ashworth talked about are still to be learned.

Phil Neville, formerly of Manchester United and Everton, never applied to be manager of the Lionesses. Rather, as Louise Taylor in the Guardian explained, “It is understood the 40-year-old’s name was initially suggested to the Football Association in a lighthearted manner by a well-known broadcaster at a drinks reception last month.”

Appointed this week, it seems Neville’s lack of experience, be it as a manager or someone working in the women’s game, has not held him back. Instead it has catapulted him to a senior position.

No sooner had the tweet confirming his appointment been sent then Neville was under scrutiny. Trial by social media. The former England international had made a string of sexist tweets that were now being paraded across the platform to embarrass both him and the FA.

By the end of Tuesday night his Twitter account had been deactivated and stories had been written about whether his tenure would be over before it had even begun. An apology followed, along with the FA’s admission they were aware of the tweets, but deemed they did not meet the threshold for an official charge.

Of course, the issue is not necessarily the perceived cronyism that envelops Neville’s appointment, but rather what message it sends about the current state of the FA and their own vetting process.

Not only did Neville fail to apply for the job he has inherited, but he expressed no interest in the women’s game beforehand. A quick interview released by the FA doused in superlatives does little to convince that he now cares about the women’s game, and more specifically the national team.

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The fact the FA could not convince their top targets also speaks volumes of their perception. Emma Hayes, short-listed for FIFA’s Best Woman’s Coach award last year, appeared to be the front-runner. She opted instead to sign a new three-and-a-half year contract at Chelsea, while Manchester City manager Nick Cushing also withdrew from the running before renewing his deal with the Citizens.

Englishman John Herdman, who had spent six years in charge of the Canadian women’s side, preferred to take a role with Canadian men’s team. Finally, there was Laura Harvey, a two time WSL winner with Arsenal and a former assistant with England at U17, U19, and U23 level, who chose instead to take up a position with the Utah Royals.

Their rejection becomes more damning when you consider this England side is currently ranked third in the world. The Lionesses will enter the 2019 World Cup in France as arguably one of the favourites, with a core group of players all reaching their peak.

For those reasons it is difficult to begrudge Neville for taking the role. It is also naive to ignore the benefits he brings to the position. His name may attract more eyes to the women’s game, while his experience as a high level player brings undoubted positives as a learning resource for England’s players.

Unfortunately, however, the ease with which he was appointed not only serves to highlight the FA’s flawed hiring process, but also the dearth of viable candidates to challenge him, which represent a consequence of the FA’s shoddy organisation.

A report by the BBC estimated that as of November 2017 there were only 41 female coaches that held a Uefa A licence in England, with that number shrinking to 7 when it came to holders of the highest qualification, the Uefa Pro licence. By comparison, 1672 men hold a Uefa A licence, while 383 hold a Uefa Pro licence.

Consequently, ire and outrage must not be directed at Neville’s door, but rather those who facilitated his hiring and those who allowed the number of viable female candidates to dwindle, and the position to be deemed so undesirable.

Ashworth talked about lessons being learned at the end of 2017, but as this new year begins, patience is running thin, and while change is needed it must surely start with those in the top positions at the FA.