England Women manager expected to be announced at end of next week

Interviews for the vacant England Women manager's job will take place this week with an official announcement expected by the end of next week, Sky Sports News understands.

But the shortlist to face the panel is far shorter than first expected.

Manchester City manager Nick Cushing, who had been one of the favourites, withdrew his application last week and subsequently signed a three-and-a-half year deal with the club on Saturday.

Following Mark Sampson's sacking, Chelsea manager Emma Hayes was an early front-runner, but in an interview with Sky Sports News she made it clear she wanted to remain with the Blues and signed a three-and-a-half year deal at the club.

Former Arsenal coach Laura Harvey had emerged as a favourite after she resigned as head coach of Seattle Reign last month, however that was quashed when Harvey was announced as head coach of Utah's NWSL team, owned by Real Salt Lake.

Another coach linked with the job has been USA coach Jill Ellis, who led America to World Cup victory in 2015, but it is believed the FA would be unable to match her wages - thought to be double what Mark Sampson was paid.

England's interim boss Mo Marley remains an option and would be a popular choice among senior players having coached many of them at youth level.

Since taking the reins from Sampson on a caretaker basis, Marley has guided the Lionesses to victory in two World Cup qualifiers against both Bosnia and Herzegovina (4-0) and Kazakhstan (5-0).