Netball Mar 26, 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

England 80-37 Jamaica: Vitality Roses secure dominant win in first Test

England 80-37 Jamaica: Vitality Roses secure dominant win in first Test

England's Vitality Roses produced a confident and dominant performance at the Copper Box Arena in London, overcoming a determined Jamaica 80-37.Englan...

Tamsin Greenway: Netball's introduction of 'choice kit' is no brainer, but doesn't spell end for traditional dress

Tamsin Greenway: Netball's introduction of 'choice kit' is no brainer, but doesn't spell end for traditional dress

Tamsin Greenway has welcomed the introduction of choice kit to Netball's Super League, and insists it will not mark the end of the sport's iconic dres...

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...

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...

Alicia Scholes hits back at critics after London Pulse edge LexisNexis Dragons in physical Netball Super League battle

Alicia Scholes hits back at critics after London Pulse edge LexisNexis Dragons in physical Netball Super League battle

London Pulse wing attack Alicia Scholes hit back at criticism of her on social media following the 2025 champions' narrow victory over LexisNexis Drag...

Jess Thirlby steps down as England Netball head coach ahead of Commonwealth Games

Jess Thirlby steps down as England Netball head coach ahead of Commonwealth Games

Jess Thirlby has stepped down as England Netball head coach four months ahead of the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. Assistant coach Anna Stembridge wi...