By James Crook

Hope Powell has been sacked as England national women's team manager after a disastrous European Championships campaignAugust 20 - Long-standing England women's football head coach Hope Powell has been relieved of her duties by the Football Association (FA) after overseeing the worst performance at a European Championships for twelve years this summer.

The 46-year-old, who also managed the British women's side at London 2012, had been at the helm since 1998 and led the team to two World Cup quarterfinals as well as taking them all the way to the final of the previous European Championship in Finland four years ago, where they were eventually torn apart in a 6-2 defeat by their German rivals.

Powell made no secret of the fact that she was full of optimism for Euro 2013 after completing the qualification stage undefeated, but her side failed to live up to expectations this summer, crashing out at the group stages as they struggled to two defeats and one draw in Sweden, despite being the fourth highest-ranked team in the tournament.

FA general secretary Alex Horne referred to the performance at Euro 2013 as "disappointing", and stated that "the time is right to make a change and for a fresh outlook".

England's women's team will be under new management for their World Cup qualifying campaign after Hope Powell was sacked as head coachEngland's women's team will be under new management for their World Cup qualifying campaign after Hope Powell was sacked as head coach

"Hope deserves a lot of credit for her commitment to developing the national teams over such a long period," he said.

"The high point was undoubtedly reaching the UEFA European Championship final four years ago.

"Hope will always be welcome back at Wembley Stadium and St George's Park [National Football Centre] and she leaves a strong legacy, having helped the FA build the women's game to the strong position it is in today."

Powell had come in for criticism from fans and media for picking players that were considered out of form and unfit for the European Championship.

The FA are now hoping to appoint a replacement women's team manager before their World Cup qualifier match against Belarus on September 21.

"We will be speaking to people from across the game both domestically and internationally before making any appointments," said Horne.

Stuart Pearce was sacked as England under-21 manager as the youth national teams and women's team underwhelmed on the international stage this summerStuart Pearce was sacked as England under-21 manager as the youth national teams and women's team underwhelmed on the international stage this summer

Powell is not the only manager of an English national football team to lose their job following a disastrous summer for English football. 

The FA also wielded the axe on England under-21 manager Stuart Pearce - who managed the British men's squad at London 2012 - after his side failed to win a game at the European Championship, although England under-20 head coach Peter Taylor was spared having spent just three months in charge before his side also failed to register a win at the World Cup in Turkey.

Powell released a statement via the League Managers Association (LMA) following the announcement. 

'I leave very honoured to have contributed to all of the collective achievements of the group over the past 15 years," she said.

"The women's game as a whole has made significant progress during this time and will continue to do so in years to come.

"I am extremely proud to have played some part in the development of women's football as a whole.

"At this stage, I would just like to thank all of the players and staff at The FA who I have worked with during my time in charge of all the England Women's international teams.

"I sincerely wish the current group of players and my successor the very best for the future.'

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