Brighton assistant manager and former interim boss Amy Merricks is set to take charge of England Women U19s from the start of the 2023/24 season.
She’s led the Women’s Super League side on a temporary basis on three separate occasions, two of which came during the current campaign. Her most recent spell saw her take over from Jens Scheuer after just six games in charge, before the Seagulls made a permanent appointment in Melissa Phillips.
Merricks has been with Brighton since 2015, having previously worked at at Gillingham and Millwall. She rose through the ranks at the South coast club, moving from development squad head coach to assistant manager in 2016.
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Current U19s coach Emma Coates will make the step up to lead the WU23s in the summer, with Merricks her replacement after eight years with Brighton. She will work within The FA’s development team set-up which is led by former Scotland manager Shelley Kerr.
Amy Merricks said: “I am incredibly excited. It is an absolute honour to represent my country and join the England pathway. I am really grateful to The FA in general and Kay Cossington for the opportunity at such a pivotal time for the women’s game and the Lionesses and I can’t wait to get started.
“I have had a fantastic experience at Brighton. I have been with the club for eight years, starting with the Under-13s and the reserves, and progressing to the women’s first team.
“That has been a journey in itself but the time has come to take on a new challenge. The positive experiences and challenges I have had along the way are going to hold me in great stead going forward.
“With the progress that the England senior team have made under Sarina Wiegman, it is important we support that winning culture across the age groups so that players can be prepared to compete on the world stage
“You can see that Sarina has a passion for ensuring young players have an opportunity when they deserve the chance. I'm looking forward to bringing knowledge and experience of developing individuals and teams domestically to ensure we continue to develop exciting young talent which can play a part in the Lionesses thriving.”
Kay Cossington, FA women’s technical director, said: “We are thrilled Amy has agreed to join us. She will bring so much energy and enthusiasm to the role, and plenty of invaluable WSL experience from her time working day-to-day and in major competitive matches with a strong squad at Brighton.
“Working under Hope (Powell), she has gained an understanding of what it takes to be a high-level coach and she also knows the importance of developing young players and instilling in them what’s required on and off the pitch. Amy has a great future ahead of her, but I am sure her arrival will make an instant positive impact.”
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