Melanie Copeland

Melanie Copeland (née Reay) is an English professional football manager and former player who manages FA Women's National League club Sunderland.

Club career As a teenager, Copeland joined the Cowgate Kestrels, which later went on to become Sunderland. During the 2004–05 season she scored 16 goals in 22 appearances, helping the Lady Black Cats win the Northern Division. In her last season at Sunderland, she made 18 appearances, scoring 5 goals. During the 2008–09 season, she scored 4 goals in 2 appearances for the reserves and 16 goals in 14 appearances for the first team. In her last season at Newcastle United, she made 9 appearances, scoring 3 goals. Baistow and Copeland both left Newcastle United at the end of the 2009–10 season.

Sunderland appointed Copeland as assistant head coach ahead of the 2015 season. In March 2017, she became head coach, replacing Carlton Fairweather.

In August 2018, she was put in charge of the England women's U23 national team for the 2018 Nordic Tournament in Sarpsborg, after being released by Sunderland and Gateshead College for the trip.

Personal life Copeland is the cousin of Alan Shearer.

Career statistics Managerial

TeamFromToRecord England U2329 August 2018 Sunderland16 March 2017

Honours Player Sunderland FA Women's Premier League Northern Division: 2004–05 Individual FA Women's Premier League Northern Division Golden Boot: 2002–03, 2003–04, 2007–08