Neville aiming for World Cup glory with 'Lionesses'

England Women's coach Phil Neville has not been shy in aiming high for the World Cup finals in France next summer, insisting that plans are already in motion for his side's quest for the ultimate triumph. 

After the group stage draw for the finals, the manager has said that he is even more excited and ready to prepare for his first major tournament in charge of the side. 

In an interview with the 'Guardian' this week, Neville spoke of his masterplan, saying: "All my staff are back at home locked in a room planning now. But playing in Nice twice will be fantastic, it’s a nice place to be. Obviously Le Havre is at the other end of the country but, logistically, we’ll fly and be fine. Playing two games in the same place is a positive.”

Aside from travel logistics for the tournament, Neville will focus more keenly towards on field matters, as he hopes to get to and win the final, due to be staged in  Lyon on July 7. 

If England manage to top group D, they will theoretically be handed a kind route to the final, which would see them avoid reigning champions USA, Germany, Canada and Australia. 

 

December 8, 2018

However it will be no easy task to top the group, as arch rivals Scotland, former world champions Japan and minnows Argentina will be keen to progress into the knockout stages themselves. 

Manager Neville is well aware of the task ahead of his side. After the finalised draw, he spoke of England's opponents, saying: "If you’re going to go to a World Cup – and I always dreamt of going to a World Cup but was never fortunate enough as a player – you want the biggest and best occasions and 9 June ( against Scotland) will be a special occasion, it’s the mouthwatering game.”

He added: "We’re probably going to need to produce form we’ve not produced since I’ve become manager."

Neville has also stated that he is keen to eclipse the previous best finish for England Women at a World Cup; third place in Canada in 2015. 

The manager concluded: "If I said we wanted bronze in France I’d have 28 players texting me saying: ‘You’re not the right manager for us.' They want to win a World Cup. That’s what I was brought in to do. The work starts now.”