to be awarded the UEFA Pro Licence, studying alongside Stuart Pearce. She had become England coach in 1998, and led the national team to the final of Euro 2009 where they lost to Germany. It was speculated that Powell would become the first female manager in English men's football when she was linked with the vacant managerial role at Grimsby Town in October 2009, however caretaker manager Neil Woods was appointed on a permanent basis. At the 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup, England suffered a quarter-final penalty shootout defeat to France following a 1–1 draw. Powell controversially attributed "cowardice" to the players who had failed to volunteer to take a penalty. After England's disastrous showing at UEFA Women's Euro 2013, there was a clamour for Powell to be sacked. However, despite the first round exit, she retained the support of the FA. In July 2013 Keith Boanas made an outspoken attack on Powell's record as England manager and publicly called on her to resign. As he had also applied for the job in 1998, but was not granted an interview, Boanas suspected that the selection of the relatively unqualified Powell was "a political appointment to cover all bases". He criticised Powell's role in the international retirement of his wife Pauline Cope and suggested that anyone could match or surpass Powell's achievements, given a similar level of support. On 20 August 2013, Powell was sacked as manager of the England women's team. Brighton & Hove Albion On 19 July 2017, Brighton & Hove Albion announced that Powell had been appointed as first-team manager of the club's women's team. On 31 October 2022, Powell stepped down from the role with an 8–0 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur being her final match in charge. Managerial statistics Honours Powell was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 2002 Birthday Honours for services to association football, and promoted to Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the 2010 Birthday Honours for services to sport. In 2003, she was inducted into the English Football Hall of Fame in recognition of her talents. Powell was awarded an Honorary Doctorate by the University of East London in 2011. Player Millwall Lionesses FA Women's Cup: 1991 Croydon FA Women's Cup: 1996 FA Women's Premier League: 1995–96 England Mundialito (2): 1985, 1988 Manager England Cyprus Cup (2): 2009, 2013 Personal life Powell was