Who is Mark Sampson and why was he sacked as England women’s boss?

MARK SAMPSON was sacked as England women’s manager.

The 34-year-old was dismissed for his actions during his time with Bristol’s Women’s Super League club rather than the controversial Eni Aluko case.

Who is Mark Sampson?

Mark Sampson was born on 18 October, 1982 in Creigiau, Wales.

He entered his first managerial role in 2008 with Taff’s Well – after being the head of Swansea’s centre of excellence while Roberto Martinez was in charge of the Swans.

In 2009 he then joined Bristol’s academy as the manager of their women’s team – during this role he guided them to runners up in the WSL in 2013, which is their highest ever league finish, and to Women’s FA Cup glory in 2011 and 2013.

Why was he sacked as England Women’s manager?

Speaking on his sacking, which was related to his time as boss of Bristol’s Women’s team, FA chief executive Martin Glenn said Sampson had “overstepped the professional boundaries between player and coach”.

But Glenn would not give further details beyond saying there was no allegation of the law being broken.

The anonymous claims against Sampson were made in March 2014, three months after he left Bristol Academy WFC to become boss of the Lionesses.

A safeguarding investigation decided Sampson posed no risk and he was cleared to go on working in football in March 2015.

But in the wake of Aluko’s claims of racism and bullying, people outside the FA advised the governing body to look again at the full report into the Bristol case.