• London Olympics 2012

Pearce and Powell handed London 2012 roles

Stuart Pearce and Hope Powell have experience of major tournaments on home soil © PA Photos

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England Under-21 coach Stuart Pearce will take charge of the Great Britain men's football team for the London 2012 Olympics, with England women's coach Hope Powell appointed head coach of the women's team.

The men's team is set to return to Olympic competition for the first time since 1960, while the women's side will compete for the first time.

With the British team expected to be made up predominantly of his England U21 side, Pearce was the natural choice to lead Team GB.

"I am extremely proud to have this opportunity and I'm very much looking forward to getting started," he said. "I was fortunate to be part of Euro '96, so I know how special it can be to play for your country on home soil at a major tournament.

"I'm sure this group of players will relish being part of not only a huge tournament in this country, but a unique one competing together and representing the UK."

"We welcome the FA's appointment of Hope Powell and Stuart Pearce - two managers who share experience of competing in major competition on home soil, as well as a great passion to proudly represent Team GB in the Olympic Games," said Team GB chef de mission Andy Hunt.

The make-up of the British team remains unclear, with the Scottish, Welsh and Northern Irish federations wary of co-operating for fear of losing their independent status at FIFA. However, Pearce is confident of having the best players made available to him.

"I am not going into this job looking to only select English players," Pearce said. "If at all possible I think this should be made up of all the Home Nations, and all the Home Nations should come forward and put their players up for selection.

"A lot of it will depend on the players' mentality; if the players want to be part of it, and I think they will be very excited to be part of this showcase of football. From then I fully expect us to have dialogue with the federations and the managers concerned and I think support will come and be galvanised as the tournament nears kick-off."

Meanwhile Powell, who has been head coach of the England women's side since 1998, has experience of leading a side in a major tournament on home soil when England hosted Euro 2005.

"From those finals where the players were playing against the best teams in Europe and in front of huge crowds, there was a real surge of enthusiasm," she said. "I think with the exposure and interest in the Olympics in this country we could see a similar impact from the tournament next summer.

"I'm delighted to be in the position to be able to take a team into such an illustrious tournament, I just wish it were starting tomorrow."

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