Netball Apr 01, 2026

England Netball: Tracey Neville admits she is 'absolutely not' right choice for head coach job after Jess Thirlby's departure

👤
By Admin
Sports Journalist
England Netball: Tracey Neville admits she is 'absolutely not' right choice for head coach job after Jess Thirlby's departure

Tracey Neville has admitted she is not the right candidate at this time for the role of England Netball head coach, while Tamsin Greenway has revealed she was not asked if she would want the job. 

Anna Stembridge will be stepping into the head coach position until after the Commonwealth Games in the summer following Jess Thirlby's decision to quit due to family reasons.

However, after the Games all eyes will be refocusing on the Netball World Cup, held in Sydney from August 25 to September 5, where England could find themselves under new leadership.

"Am I the obvious choice? Of course, I'm the obvious choice," Neville, who last month became managing director of Stockport County Women football team, said on Your Site' Off The Court Podcast.

"But am I the right choice? Absolutely not.

"Before I even got the Stockport County Women's job, I've had some great conversations with Sue Campbell [England Netball chair] and Fran Connolly [England Netball CEO].

"And Sue Campbell is very clear about where I am in my career, what my intentions were, and from my perspective now, the challenge I have in my particular role is exactly where I want to be.

"I absolutely love working at Stockport County so she would 100 per cent have known that [returning to England Netball] would not have been the next step."

Neville had been a popular choice to return long before Thirlby's decision was announced, as she was the only coach to lead England to a Commonwealth gold medal before stepping down in 2019 to start a family.

Meanwhile, Greenway, who coaches London Mavericks and would be another popular choice, revealed she was not contacted at all about the decision and believes no coaches in the Netball Super League were spoken to.

"No, I wasn't asked," Greenway said.

"I think maybe my phone's dead or something, there's no reception in London, that's why.

"I don't think there was any phone calls put to any of the current England coaches in the Super League at the moment - I don't believe there was anyway.

"Do I think that should have happened? I don't know. I don't know what the protocol was.

"I don't think anyone saw this coming, I think it's all been a very quick turnaround to whatever's happened."

On Friday it was announced that Greenway had signed a long-term deal with London Mavericks where she will continue to lead the NSL side but also help with the development of the club's performance environment and player pathways.

Tags:

netball news

Share this article

Related Posts

Netball Super Cup: Loughborough Lightning beat London Pulse by one goal in final to claim title and put down marker for new season

Netball Super Cup: Loughborough Lightning beat London Pulse by one goal in final to claim title and put down marker for new season

Loughborough Lightning beat London Pulse 18-17 in the final of the Netball Super Cup on Saturday.London Pulse were looking to defend their title after...

England Netball head coach: Five contenders who could lead Roses into next World Cup

England Netball head coach: Five contenders who could lead Roses into next World Cup

The shock stepping down of Jess Thirlby, with Anna Stembridge stepping up as interim head coach, has left the England Vitality Roses in unknown territ...

Guide to the Netball Super League 2026 season as Pulse hope to defend their title while Rhinos look to charge

Guide to the Netball Super League 2026 season as Pulse hope to defend their title while Rhinos look to charge

Last year we saw the rejuvenated Netball Super League go from 12 teams to 10, and introduce the game-changing super shot. As the season commences on...

Jess Thirlby's departure as England Netball head coach is strange timing ahead of Commonwealth Games, says Tamsin Greenway

Jess Thirlby's departure as England Netball head coach is strange timing ahead of Commonwealth Games, says Tamsin Greenway

Jess Thirlby's shock exit as England netball head coach has come at a strange time, says Your Site expert Tamsin Greenway.It was announced on Tuesday...

England's Jaz Brown ruled out of Commonwealth Games and rest of Netball Super League season through injury

England's Jaz Brown ruled out of Commonwealth Games and rest of Netball Super League season through injury

England’s Jaz Brown has been ruled out of this summer's Commonwealth Games and the rest of the Netball Super League season through injury.England Netb...

England dominate inexperienced Jamaican side to sweep series win ahead of Commonwealth Gams in Glasgow next year

England dominate inexperienced Jamaican side to sweep series win ahead of Commonwealth Gams in Glasgow next year

England showed their strength over a weakened Jamaican side beating them 81-30 to take a 2-0 series win at the Copper Box on Sunday.  The Vitality Red...