The FA’s search for a new manager of the England Women’s team will involve greater scrutiny than the hiring of Mark Sampson, and they are likely to appoint a female manager to the role, according to reports.

The Evening Standard report that the FA plan to take more care over the next permanent appointment, as Mark Sampson was appointed despite alleged inappropriate relationships when he was in charge at Bristol Academy.

Sampson was investigated in 2015 for the allegations, but cleared and hired by the FA nonetheless. Then he was investigated twice over allegations of bullying and racism with England, and cleared twice (with serious questions over hanging over those investigations) and allowed to continue with his role.

Now he has been sacked, and the Evening Standard claim this is as a result of FA Chief Executive Martin Glenn looking back into the initial Bristol Academy investigation.

As a result, the England team need a new manager.

On the pitch, the team seem to be in a strong position, beating Russia 6-0 in the first match of their World Cup qualifying campaign, and making the semi-finals of the last two major international competitions.

The position should therefore be an appealing one to prospective candidates, and a couple of women connected to Arsenal are in the running.

One bookmaker puts former Gunner Kelly Smith, as well as former Arsenal coach Emma Hayes, as both in the top ten favourites to succeed Sampson. Smith, however, has apparently ruled herself out of the running.

Arsenal manager, Laura Harvey, is also being named in connection with the job. Harvey won 13 trophies during her four years at the club.