SUE Smith believes Manchester United manager Casey Stoney would be a "fantastic" choice to replace Phil Neville as England women head coach if he leaves the role next summer.

Neville will reportedly not be signing a contract extension to stay at the England helm, with an update on his future expected after a UEFA announcement on the Women's European Championships.

UEFA's executive committee is expected to reveal the Euros will be rearranged to July 2022 later today due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

Fomer England forward Smith thinks Stoney, who was assistant coach to Neville before taking the job at United, and Chelsea manager Emma Hayes will be leading contenders if Neville's departure next summer is confirmed.

"Emma Hayes always gets called upon, because of the fantastic job she's done at Chelsea, and Casey Stoney would be fantastic," Smith told Sky Sports.

"Knowing Casey well, she loves England and really took pride in every single England cap. If they came knocking, she'd find it hard to turn it down."

Former Manchester United and Everton defender Neville, 43, succeeded Mark Sampson as manager of the Lionesses in January 2018, signing a contract until 2021.

Neville led England to SheBelieves Cup glory in 2019 and fourth place at that year's World Cup.

He had been set to lead Team GB into the Olympic Games in Tokyo this summer, before taking control of England at the Women's European Championship finals to be held on home soil in 2021.

But the Olympics have already been put back a year due to the pandemic and the Euros are likely to be pushed back to 2022.

Before the coronavirus pandemic led to a football shutdown, the Lionesses lost seven of their last 11 matches in all competitions leading to doubts about Neville's future.

The Basildon born Stoney grew up in Wickford and attended Runwell Primary School in her youth.