Brighton coach to link up with England next month

Albion first-team coach Paul Nevin has been called up to Gareth Southgate's coaching staff for England's matches with the United States and Croatia next month.
Paul Nevin pictured with Chris Hughton, after Brighton's boss won the February manager of the month award last season. Picture by Paul Hazlewood/BHAFCPaul Nevin pictured with Chris Hughton, after Brighton's boss won the February manager of the month award last season. Picture by Paul Hazlewood/BHAFC
Paul Nevin pictured with Chris Hughton, after Brighton's boss won the February manager of the month award last season. Picture by Paul Hazlewood/BHAFC

Nevin will be involved with the senior squad as part of an initiative from the FA to ensure BAME coaching placements across all England squads.

Measures are being put in place across all age groups to provide either active or observational roles. The overall aim is to ensure the diversity of national coaches and support staff better represents the diversity seen in players across the teams.

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For the under-21s, Aidy Boothroyd is due to be joined by former Albion player Terry Connor, who most recently worked as assistant manager at Ipswich Town.

Former England defender Sol Campbell has been earmarked to work alongside Boothroyd’s staff in November.

Nevin has been with Brighton since 2016 and previously worked with the FA as a youth coach at national level. He said: "When I got the call I was absolutely delighted because it's a very privileged position. Any coach who invites you into the inner sanctum of how they work says something about your own character and hopefully the trust that Gareth has in me to preserve that environment.

"First and foremost, I'm very thankful to Gareth and The FA for the opportunity. I'm also thankful to Brighton for allowing me the time to do this to help develop myself and gain new experience.

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"This is a chance to work with the best players in the country. Obviously, I see them week to week in the Premier League but working with them en-masse in a squad setting is going to be fantastic.”

Albion chief executive Paul Barber said: “We are always happy for our coaching and technical staff to support the work of national teams when invited to do so: it’s good recognition and experience for the individuals concerned.

“It’s also good for our club and reflects our growing profile and reputation, as well as that of our staff, and I’m sure it’ll be a real moment of pride for Paul and his family to be involved with the national team.”

Paul Elliott, chair of The FA’a Inclusion Advisory Board, added: “The FA now has a clear commitment to giving talented coaches from under-represented groups the chance to work with England teams.

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“I have long felt that having more visibility around the national team could only serve to inspire others to follow in their footsteps as well as ensuring these coaches can take their work to another level. I think in future we will look back at this as moment as a defining one for coaching in this country.”

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