Former England player Sue Smith believes Phil Neville deserves a chance as England Women’s manager.

Neville could soon fill the vacant England Women’s manager position after Mark Sampson was removed.

The move has bemused many, who fail to see how the former Everton and Manchester United defender is qualified for the role.

Sue Smith, who was capped 93 times by England, feels the opposite.

She believes that Neville’s “top level experience” makes him suited to the role, but said he would need someone who knew the women’s game to help him.

Her candidate for that role would be former Arsenal defender Casey Stoney.

“Phil Neville’s probably got to be given a chance,” Smith told Sportswomen (via Sky Sports).

“I think the fact that he’s played at the highest level, he’s coached at the highest level and I think he can maybe bring all of these experiences to take England to the next level.

“I think he needs people around him that have been involved in the women’s game, that know the women’s game.

“I look at Casey Stoney who’s maybe coming towards the end of her career, so could she be an assistant manager underneath Phil Neville, could she learn from him? She could be the future England manager right there.

“She’s got the playing credentials and she’s obviously progressing through her coaching badges as well.”

There’s a much simpler solution to all this: find someone who actually has experience in women’s football.

Neville has been the assistant coach at Valencia but has otherwise yet to manage a single team.

He’s never talked about the women’s game, let alone had any experience in it.

He could prove to be more successful than we think, but at the moment, there’s little justification for giving him the job.