Albion have pulled off a major coup by naming England legend Hope Powell as their new women’s first team manager.

She will take over from interim boss George Parris as the Seagulls prepare for their first WSL2 season.

Powell spent 15 years in charge of England and also managed the Great Britain Olympic Women’s team in 2012.

Albion chief executive Paul Barber said: "Hope is someone with an outstanding record in coaching, playing and management within football - she is also someone I know well from my time at the Football Association.

"She has an incredible wealth of coaching experience at the very highest level, and had a very impressive career as a player too.

"We feel Hope is the right person to take our women's team forward, as we look to gain promotion and establish ourselves as a FA Women's Super League 1 side.

"This appointment also further demonstrates the ongoing commitment that the chairman, myself and the board of directors have in promoting women's football at the club."

Powell said: "I am delighted to be back in management at a club that has so much ambition with an amazing infrastructure both on and off the pitch.

"I have followed the club's progress closely and I was thrilled to hear news of their well-deserved promotion to the FA Women's Super League last year.

"The team had a solid campaign in this year's Spring Series and the task is now to build a side that is capable of mounting a challenge for promotion into FA Women’s Super League 1."

Women's chair and club director Michelle Walder, added: "It is an absolute pleasure to welcome Hope to the club.

“She is someone that has unparalleled coaching experience and technical skills within the women’s game, and this appointment can take us to the next level.

"I would also like to take this opportunity to thank the work George Parris for the work he done as interim first-team manager during the past year, along with the excellent support of Amy Merricks."

Merricks will be Powell's assistant coach with Parris reverting to the role of regional talent club technical director.