Team GB Coaches Named for London Olympics Football; Beckham Role in Doubt

(ATR) Stuart Pearce and Hope Powell are appointed to lead Team GB football teams at the London Olympics. The English FA and British Olympic Association made the announcement at Wembley Stadium.

Both were tipped to get the jobs and now get the chance to ensure British footballers make a real impact at the Olympics for the first time in decades.

In June, the BOA struck an agreement with English FA to field a men's Olympic team for the first time in 52 years - since the Rome 1960 Games - and a women’s side for the first time ever.

"There’s no doubt today’s announcements are a really important step in Team GB’s football ambitions for London 2012," BOA chief executive Andy Hunt told the press conference at the stadium where the football finals will be staged next summer.

"Hope and Stuart bring international experience on home soil which will be really important to the players. This country is mad about football and the opportunity to see players play for their country will be an import legacy for this country," he added.

"I think this is a significant moment for women’s football. It’s an important moment when Hope will lead out her players next summer for the first time in Team GB’s history.

"The appointment of managers and selection of players is with the FA, now they will work developing the long list and moving forward with selection next year."

Difficult Selection Procedure Ahead

How the new coaches select their squads for the Olympics will be a closely watched and controversial process.

The Scottish, Northern Irish and Welsh FAs have long been opposed to fielding British men's and women's teams, fearing their autonomy in the eyes of FIFA will be lose if they unite for the Olympics.

But earlier this year FIFA offered written assurances that participation in the 2012 Olympic football tournament would in no way compromise their autonomy and independence for other FIFA-sanctioned tournaments.

The selection process starts now with the development of a ‘long list’ of potential players. Players will be asked to confirm their interest and availability to compete for Team GB following discussions with their respective professional clubs and Home Associations.

Consistent with requirements set out in the Olympic Charter, the selection criteria will be entirely non-discriminatory. Players from England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland who meet the approved competitive standard will be eligible for consideration and selection.

One stumbling block may be the reluctance of top-flight clubs to release players during the off-season in case they are injured, which could ruin their preparations for the 2012/2013 campaign.

"It will be interesting to see how the squaddevelops and how Stuart [and Hope] deal with them but it will be unique opportunity," English FA chairman David Bernstein told reporters.

"But as we build up to the Olympics I believe we will have a tremendous amount of national excitement."

Commenting on the selection procedure ahead, Pearce noted the importance of the Olympics for players such as the world's best, Argentina's Lionel Messi, who took his club to court so he could be released for the Beijing Olympics.

"I’m not going into this job to only select English players, all the home nations should come forward and put their players up for selection," he said.

"I think they will be up for it - they want to be part of this showcase of football. There has to be a dialogue and that will come from myself to the federations. At this stage it’s a situation where they’ll get in on form and fitness. I won’t shut the door to anybody.

"It’sa standalone one-off tournament, there will be a real groundswell mentality from players of wanting to be involved."

Former England star David beckham has dropped strong hints in recent months that he wants to be involved in the Olympics in a playing or coaching capacity.

But Pearce, the England U-21 men's coach, would not be drawn when asked if he would like Beckham in the squad.

"It’s like everything else, everyone who will be selected will be so on form and fitness. I’ve no idea [if Beckham will be involved], I haven’t seen him play recently. He’s a bit older than 21 so he’s not been on my radar," he said.

Olympics to Raise Profile of Women's Game

For Hope Powell, the England women's head coach since 1998, the Olympics will be another important milestone in the rapid development of the women's game. She led her side to four successive major finals, including the Euro 2009 final in Finland.

"I am very privileged and honoured to be given this position – very historic for women’s football," she said.

"After hosting a tournament in 2005, we hope that this again will be a catalyst for women’s football.

"I’m really interested in the next few months going forward - the opportunity to play at Wembley in women’s football is a fantastic honour. It will really help us raise the profile and continue to move the game forward."

The announcement of the two Olympic football squads will be made next summer.

The men’s squad will feature 18 players - 15 must be under 23-years-old, with three ‘open age’ players. The women’s squad will also be comprised of 18 players, but there are no age restrictions

At London 2012, the men’s football competition will feature 16 teams and the women’s tournament 12 teams.

Preliminary round matches will begin on July 25, two days before the opening ceremony. Matches will be played at six stadia across the UK including London's Wembley Stadium, venue for the gold medal match, and Manchester United's Old Trafford.

Reported by Christian Radnedge and Mark Bisson

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