Rod Thornley and Tony Strudwick to end England roles

Friday 14 Nov 2014
Tony Strudwick with Roy Hodgson during training

England Senior team soft tissue therapist, Rod Thornley, and fitness coach, Tony Strudwick, will finish their roles with the national side after the Scotland fixture.

Thornley has been a long-serving member of the England backroom team after being drafted in to the set-up in August 2001. 

He celebrated his 150th game for England when the Three Lions played Peru at Wembley prior to flying to Miami for further warm-up matches ahead of the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

His final game against Scotland on Tuesday will be his 161st before continuing his role at Manchester United.

The Thornley family have a special affinity with United, with Rod’s older brother Ben playing for the club during the early '90s. Having played non-League football himself, Rod joined Manchester United’s staff in 2000.

Strudwick, a fitness coach at Manchester United for eight seasons, was brought into the backroom set-up on a short-term contract ahead of the 2014 FIFA World Cup to assist with the preparation of the team.

Since then he has been involved with three further squad get-togethers, with the games against Slovenia and Scotland being his last.

Speaking about their departures, England manager Roy Hodgson said: “I’d like to express my gratitude to both Rod and Tony for their conscientious efforts during their time with the national team.

"I’d also like to thank Manchester United for allowing them to be part of our backroom staff. We’re sorry to lose them and wish them both the best for their future endeavours.”

The FA will be looking to replace both individuals and will undertake an open recruitment process for these positions.

By FA Staff