Hope Powell has been dismissed as the coach of the England women's football team with immediate effect.

The 46-year-old, who became the first female to achieve the UEFA Pro Licence, leaves the post following a 15-year-spell in charge.

Powell guided the team to the final of the 2009 European Championship in Finland, but they failed to get out of their group at this year's tournament in Sweden.

"Hope deserves a lot of credit for her commitment to developing the national teams over such a long period," Football Association general secretary Alex Horne told said in an official statement.

"However, after the disappointment of the recent tournament in Sweden, the Club England Board believe the time is right to make a change and for a fresh outlook."

Powell won 66 caps for England during a playing career that lasted from 1978 to 1998.

Written by
Jack Prescott