The FA Receive 142 Applicants for Vacant England Women's Job

Baroness Sue Campbell has announced that a total of 142 people have applied for the England women's head coach's job, with over half meeting the criteria.

Phil Neville took charge of the Lionesses in January 2018, but confirmed in April that he would be stepping down once his current deal expires in 2021.

His replacement will be in charge for the 2022 European Championships on home soil - which have been pushed back a year as a result of the coronavirus - and could lead Team GB at the 2021 Olympics.

"We've had an unbelievable response," said Baroness Campbell told BBC Sport. "I'm not judging it against what we've had in the past, it's saying, 'who has got the ability to take us right to the top of Everest?

"We're at the final camp - how do we get to the top of that mountain? That's what my job is. To find that person for the players. They deserve the best and I want to get them the best if I can."

Applications for the position closed at the end of June. Candidates are expected to hold a UEFA A Licence at the very minimum, while experience in the women's game is considered desirable but not essential.

The vast application numbers are a stark contrast to the figures when Neville was appointed two-and-a-half-years ago.

Numerous candidates dropped out of the process following the controversial handling of Mark Sampson's sacking, which eventually resulted in Neville being offered the job - despite not applying for it in the first place.

Double World Cup winning manager Jill Ellis is among the favourites for the position, having left her role as USA head coach after their success in France.

Manchester United manager Casey Stoney - briefly assistant to Phil Neville at England during his inaugural months in charge - Chelsea boss Emma Hayes and ex-Manchester City head coach Nick Cushing have also been heavily linked with the job.