Why me?

I asked myself that question over and over again.

I didn’t get it. Why ask me to be the England manager? Did someone else say no and I’m second, or even third, choice? I needed to understand it.

They said they’d done their research. Said I was a strong candidate. A good character in the game.

I felt it was a bit of a token gesture. Black. Female. Ticked a box.

I wasn’t sure if I could do it, either. I was still a player, albeit one with plenty of wear and tear.

Maybe they saw something in me that I didn’t.