Hope Powell stands down from Brighton Women’s role after heavy loss to Tottenham to end five-year reign

HOPE POWELL has stood down as boss of Brighton Women bringing her five-year tenure in charge of the side to a close.

Her departure comes a day after the Seagulls endured one of their heaviest defeats in the WSL – an 8-0 drubbing at home to Tottenham.

Today the club confirmed Powell, 56, had stepped down “with immediate effect” as manager of the side currently second from bottom in the league.

Albion assistant manager Amy Merricks will take charge of the team at their next game with support from Alex Penny and Albion Girls Academy chief Perry Northeast.

The club are due to play West Ham away on Sunday.

The Seagulls had won over 40 per cent of the 116 matches played under former England head coach Powell after she took charge in July 2017.

And in the 2020-21 season, she led them to sixth place, their highest-ever finish in the top tier.

However, they are three points above the WSL’s drop zone having lost four of their opening five games this season.

Powell said: “We’ve had a very challenging start to the new season with many changes to our squad and results not going as we had all hoped.

“Sunday’s heavy loss at home to Tottenham was particularly disappointing. 

“As a club, we’ve made a lot of progress in the past five years, but I feel now is the right time to step aside and allow a new coach to take the team forward with plenty of Super League football still to play this season.”

Brighton Women’s chair, Michelle Walder, added: “Hope’s contribution to the development of women’s and girls’ football at our club, and for the women’s game in this country, cannot be underestimated.

“She has established Brighton & Hove Albion in the Women’s Super League and has overseen the opening of a new state-of-the-art women’s and girls’ teams training facility at our club.

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“She has undoubtedly inspired further generations of young girls to play football. We wish her well for the future.”

Powell’s departure followed reports concerning speculation over her future with the team falling to losses of four or more goals in three of their first five WSL games.

Her departure also follows a summer that has seen Brighton’s senior squad depleted following the exits of several players.

First-team regulars who departed include highly-rated defender Maya Le Tissier who sealed a move to Manchester United.

Other aces who left include forward Aileen Whelan, Dutch duo Inessa Kaagman and Danielle Kerkdijk, and Finland full-back Emma Koivisto.