No female has ever managed a professional men’s side in Britain, but the League Managers’ Association said it would support Powell if she applied for the role at Grimsby, after press speculation that she has applied for the job.

LMA chief executive Richard Bevan said: “Why shouldn’t she (make the step into the men’s game)?

“Hope has done a fantastic job with England, but I’m not sure the FA would want to let her go.”

Powell has been in charge of the England Women’s team for 11 years and was the first woman to earn a Uefa Pro Licence - football’s highest coaching award.

In September this year she led the side to the final of the women’s European Championship where they lost to Germany.

Shay Given and Kevin Kilbane both gained their 100th cap in the scoreless draw between Republic of Ireland and Montenegro on the 14th October.

For Kilbane it was his 50th consecutive competitive game for his country; only England’s Billy Wright has achieved a longer unbroken run in competitive international football.

Given was awarded the captaincy in honour of the occasion.

Both players are now just two caps behind Steve Staunton who holds the record for appearances for Republic Ireland having played 102 times during his career.