Powell ends 15-year England reign

Hope Powell has departed as England manager after 15 years in charge.

Powell's England side exited UEFA Women's EURO 2013 in the group stage last month having previously reached the final four years ago. In her only management role, which began in 1998, Powell led England to four European final tournaments and two FIFA Women's World Cup quarter-finals, and also coached Great Britain in the Olympics last summer. Her successor will start with a home Women's World Cup qualifier against Belarus in Bournemouth on 21 September.

A Football Association (FA) statement read: "The Football Association today confirmed England women's senior team head coach Hope Powell will be leaving the organisation with immediate effect. Powell leaves after 15 years leading the women's senior team."

In a statement issued by the League Managers Association, Powell said: "I am extremely proud to have played some part in the development of women’s football as a whole. I sincerely wish the current group of players and my successor the very best for the future."

FA general secretary Alex Horne said: "Hope deserves a lot of credit for her commitment to developing the national teams over such a long period. The high point was undoubtedly reaching the UEFA European Championship final four years ago. However, after the disappointment of the recent tournament in Sweden, the Club England board believe the time is right to make a change and for a fresh outlook.

"I'd like to place on record the organisation's thanks to Hope for her efforts and wish her every success in the future. Hope will always be welcome back at Wembley Stadium and St. George's Park and she leaves a strong legacy having helped the FA build the women's game to the strong position it is in today.

"The FA has made significant investment into the women's game over the past 20 years and this has seen major developments such as the FA Women's Super League. We have received outstanding support and investment from broadcast and commercial partners, and participation levels make women's football the third most played sport in England. It is important we continue this development at major tournaments so we can compete with Germany, France, Spain and the Nordic countries in Europe, in addition to the likes of Japan, Brazil, the United States and Canada at the 2015 FIFA World Cup.

"We will now look to recruit a new head coach and a technical lead for women's football who will report to [FA director of elite development] Dan Ashworth. We will be speaking to people from across the game, both domestically and internationally, before making any appointments."