Pearce, the England under 21 manager, won 78 caps as a fearsome defender for his country before retiring from international football in 1999, while Powell, who recently led England's women to the quarterfinals of the World Cup, where they lost on a penalty shoot-out to France, earned 66 international caps.

Earlier this year, Powell (pictured) set a new record for England games managed as she took charge of her 140th international match, a Euro 2013 qualifier in Belgrade, surpassing the mark set by Sir Alf Ramsey's predecessor, Sir Walter Winterbottom.


Manchester United's manager Sir Alex Ferguson was one of the early tips for the job of Team GB team manager, having been informally sounded out by Lord Sebastian Coe, the London 2012 chairman.

But Coe stressed in January this year it had been on a personal basis, adding: "It is not for me to decide, it is for the FA and the British Olympic Association [BOA].

"I personally feel Sir Alex Ferguson is the iconic face of British football over the last 25 years and I can't think of anyone I would rather have."

Tottenham Hotspur's manager Harry Redknapp was another name in the frame, but now the job has gone to one of the most conspicuously patriotic of England players in recent years, who rejoiced during his playing years for Nottingham Forest, West Ham and Manchester City in the nickname of Psycho, but who has since shown more subtle skills in managerial spells with Manchester City before guiding England's under 21s through three Euro tournaments, finishing third, runner-up and the group stages in 2007, 2009 and 2011.

Among the players Pearce may well be working with in London is David Beckham, who reiterated his desire to represent Britain at the Olympics earlier this month.

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