Considering everyone had their doubts about Phil Neville being named England women's national team manager, the former Manchester United man has made a very good start.

He marked his first game in charge with an impressive 4-1 win over France in the SheBelieves Cup on March 1, followed by a 2-2 draw to the second highest ranked side at the time, Germany.

Neville's side were unable to avoid defeat to USA, who remain No.1 in women's football, but losing didn't detract from the fine job he has done thus far.

Speaking before the tournament, Neville suggested people actually wanted him to fail as England women's manager - but he thrives under pressure, apparently.

"People are going to be watching this game wanting us to lose," he said. "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. I think it's the English mentality of wanting people to fail."

THINGS KEEP GETTING BETTER FOR NEVILLE

Safe to say Neville has proved his doubters very wrong and now something pretty amazing has happened for both the 41-year-old and his side that no one will have seen coming.

As confirmed by BBC Sport today, England women's have just moved up to an all-time high of second in the FIFA world rankings (see below).

England have overtaken Germany to go 73 points behind USA, which is a phenomenal achievement for everyone involved.

Neville's management career hasn't exactly been the most successful - he and brother Gary didn't last long at Valencia - but he's gradually proving he has what it takes.

And according to David Beckham, it was always going to be the younger Neville brother that forged a coaching career: "To be honest out of Phil and Gary, I always expected Phil to go into coaching.

"Both of them were very intelligent in every way, on and off the field, but I am not surprised to see Phil in the role and I think he is enjoying it."