Phil Neville’s appointment as head coach of the England women’s team in January came as a complete shock.Few people felt it was the right decision. Although Neville boasted a vast amount of experience from his career in the men’s game - both playing and coaching - what did he know about the women’s?Shortly after his appointment, several sexist yet tongue-in-cheek tweets that Neville had posted in the past had been dug up and shared across social media. The former Manchester United and Everton player swiftly deleted his Twitter account but the damage had already been done.At one point, there seemed to be a very real possibility that Neville wouldn’t last a week in his new role, but the Football Association claimed they knew about the tweets before he was appointed and allowed him to continue.“Following comments made a number of years ago I would like to clarify that they were not and are not a true and genuine reflection of either my character or beliefs, and would like to apologise," Neville said in a statement.

Neville: People want us to lose v France

Aside from the tweets, there were many who felt Neville was under qualified to take on the biggest job in women’s football.

The knives have been out for Neville since day one and ahead of his first match against France in the SheBelieves Cup in Ohio on Thursday, he acknowledged there are people hoping he fails.

“People are going to be watching this game wanting us to lose,” Neville said, per the Guardian. “We know that is going to happen. People want me to fail, 100%. They want me to come here and lose all three games. But do you know what? That’s just how it was in my playing career.

“It’s part of my motivation. The team have got their motivation, I have got mine. It is to show people that we will be successful.”

What happened in Neville's first game in charge

That fighting talk appears to have seeped through to his playing squad judging by what happened in his first game.

Neville masterminded England to a shock 4-1 victory over France, with the goals coming from Toni Duggan, Jill Scott, Jodie Taylor and Fran Kirby.

This is only the second time in 44 years England have ever won this fixture; an absolute dream start for Neville.

Football fans were left stunned

The result, as well as  the performance, has stunned football fans on Twitter - many of whom, we’re sure, are currently eating humble pie after writing off Mark Sampson’s replacement without giving him a chance…

Very well played, Phil.