The Football Association has confirmed the appointment of former Arsenal assistant coach Lydia Bedford as head coach of the England women’s national under-23 football team on a permanent basis. Bedford returns to the FA after previously spending seven years working within England’s youth international system, where she coached the under-15, under-16 and under-17 sides and helped develop several players who later progressed to senior international level. Her experience within the national team structure was seen as a key factor in her selection for the role.
The rapid growth of women’s football in England has been accompanied by increasing investment in the development of female coaches. Over the past decade, governing bodies and clubs have placed greater emphasis on creating pathways that allow women to progress into elite coaching roles, both within the women’s game and across the wider football landscape. This shift has seen more former players and experienced coaches move into positions that influence the development of future generations of talent.
The Football Association has played a key role in this process by expanding opportunities within its youth national team structure. Programmes such as the England women’s under-23 team serve as an important bridge between youth football and the senior Lionesses squad, helping promising players transition to the highest level of the international game while also offering coaching opportunities within a high-performance environment.
Lydia Bedford returns to FA after Arsenal spell
Following her earlier spell with England’s youth teams, Bedford moved into senior club management and coaching roles. She served as head coach of Leicester City Women in the Women’s Super League before joining Arsenal as an assistant coach in 2023. During her time at Arsenal, she was part of the coaching staff that supported the club in domestic and European competitions.
Bedford later made headlines when she became the first woman to take charge of a men’s team at a Premier League club after being appointed head coach of the Brentford Under-18s in 2023. More recently, she worked in Canada as head coach of Calgary Wild FC before returning to England to take up the FA role. Her diverse coaching background brings valuable experience to the under-23 programme.
Bedford to oversee England under-23 development pathway
Bedford will now lead the England under-23 side during the upcoming international windows and oversee the final fixtures of the 2025-26 campaign. The FA views the under-23 programme as a crucial stage in the national pathway, designed to prepare emerging players for eventual selection in the senior squad under head coach Sarina Wiegman.
Her appointment follows a period of transition within the programme after the departure of previous head coach Emma Coates, who left the role to take charge of an NWSL club in the United States. Bedford has expressed excitement about returning to the FA and working with what she described as a “talented group of players” as they aim to progress toward the senior Lionesses squad in the coming years.
FA strengthens coaching development with Bedford appointment
With her experience across youth international football, the Women’s Super League and elite academy environments, Bedford’s appointment represents another step in the FA’s continued effort to strengthen both player and coaching development within English women’s football. Her track record of developing young talent aligns perfectly with the objectives of the under-23 programme.
Bedford’s return to the FA marks a significant moment for women’s coaching in England. Her journey from youth international coaching to senior club roles and now back to the national setup demonstrates the growing opportunities available to female coaches. The under-23 team will benefit from her wealth of experience as they prepare for the challenges ahead under her leadership.
