Casey Stoney to join England backroom staff after retiring

Casey Stoney has said she will join Phil Neville’s managerial staff for England when she retires from playing.

The England and Liverpool defender will end her playing career on Wednesday 21 February, with a match against Sunderland.

Stoney, 35, won 130 caps and skippered the Great Britain team at the 2012 London Olympics.

She said: "I am hugely excited about starting my next chapter. Although I am sad to be hanging up my boots, I do so proud of what I have achieved and with great optimism about what the future holds for the women's game.

"I am thoroughly looking forward to working with Phil, who is an excellent choice to take the women's game forward.

"I talked to him at length before accepting the job and was hugely impressed with his vision, passion and eagerness to learn. I will be doing everything possible to support him alongside finishing my coaching badges."