West Ham United women’s manager Paul Konchesky is looking forward to the upcoming UEFA Women’s Euro 2022 tournament taking place in England this summer.
Konchesky was appointed manager of the women’s team in May, and will embark on his first season in management when the Barclays Women’s Super League season gets underway in September.
Until then, there is plenty to keep the new boss busy, with the beginning of pre-season and Euro 2022 both on the horizon.
Dagný Brynjarsdóttir and Hawa Cissoko are in action during the tournament, which will run from 6-31 July - and Konchesky is looking forward to seeing the Irons represented in the tournament.
"It’s fantastic to have the tournament in this country, it’s a huge opportunity to continue the growth of the game in this country," he told Sky Sports.
"Looking back at last season in the WSL, it was one of the most competitive in the league’s history, which shows that the standard of the game is only going up.
"The quality of player that we’re going to have on show during this tournament is brilliant, which includes two of our own players in Hawa (Cissoko) and Dagný (Brynjarsdóttir).
"It’s a massive achievement for the girls to be selected to play for their countries – it’s a highlight of anyone’s career and we’re really proud of them both."
Brynjarsdóttir and Iceland will face Belgium, Italy and Cissoko's France in Group D.
Whilst Konchesky will be keeping a keen eye on the international matches, he will also be preparing his team out on the training pitch at Chadwell Heath.
The former Hammers left-back is looking forward to taking charge of the team and beginning pre-season.
"It’s a challenge that I’m really looking forward to, and it’s a real honour to be the manager of this football Club. It’s my local club and I really want to help take them further.
"As a Club, we really want to be knocking on the door at the top end of the table, challenging on a more consistent basis with the best – that will take time, but I’m looking forward to the journey that we’re going to go on."
The boss is also hoping that the hype created from having a major tournament on English shores will boost the interest in the game ahead of the beginning of the new season.
"It’s going to be a busy summer with the Euros, but it’s a summer I’m looking forward to because of the interest that is surrounding our game.
"That will only raise the profile of women's football in this country even further.
"I’m going to try and get to as many matches as possible, including seeing Hawa and Dagný’s matches – it’ll be good for them to know that the manager is there watching.
"It’s really exciting for them and I’m looking forward to watching them play against the very best in Europe."
