Hege Riise named Team GB coach for Tokyo Olympics
England women interim manager Hege Riise has been appointed by the FA as head coach for the Great Britain team that will compete at this summer’s delayed Olympics in Tokyo.
Riise was placed in temporary charge of England when Phil Neville left the job to take over at Inter Miami in MLS and will continue in the role until permanent successor Sarina Wiegman begins her tenure in the autumn. With the FA also responsible for Team GB, Riise will lead that team as well.
We can confirm that Hege Riise, who is currently the interim head coach of @England's senior women's team, will take charge of the GB Football squad.
— The FA (@FA) March 10, 2021
Riise, who will be assisted by @rhirhi8, is to lead @TeamGB into the women's football tournament at this summer's @Olympics:
It is only the second time that Team GB will have played in the Olympics women’s football tournament, having qualified as a result of England finishing among the top three European countries at the most recent World Cup in 2019.
Riise will be responsible for naming an 18-strong squad for the tournament, which will be spread across Japan beyond just Tokyo, with players from all four home nations – England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland – available for selection.
“I know first-hand as a former player just how huge the Olympics are as a tournament and I am enormously proud to have this opportunity to lead the GB squad into the Games," Riise said.
"We will go there to give everything we have to be successful and I hope we can also use the power of the Games to help women’s football continue to grow in popularity.
“I thank The FA for their trust in me, and also the National Lottery for the backing they are giving to the team. This kind of strong support is so important if we are to go there and perform to the best of our abilities.”
National Lottery funding will provide important investment to aid Team GB’s preparations, with a warm-up game on home soil to be announced, as well as training camps and logistical support.
The final tournament will be held between 21 July and 6 August, a year after it was originally planned because of the forced postponement by the coronavirus pandemic.
Team GB previously reached the quarter-finals of the 2012 Olympics on home soil. Riise herself won an Olympic bronze medal as a player with Norway in 1996 and later a gold in 2000. She kicked off her England tenure with a recent 6-0 friendly win over Northern Ireland.
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