Stuart Pearce says he wants complete freedom to choose footballers to represent Great Britain at next year s London Olympic Games.
The former England international has been named as manager of the GB men s football team with Hope Powell in charge of the women.
Pearce said he hoped to be allowed to pick players from throughout the United Kingdom, despite opposition from the other home nations.
I m certainly not going into this job looking to only select English players, Pearce said. I think it should be, if at all possible, made up of all the home nations.
All the home nations should come forward and put their players up for selection. A lot of it will depend on the players mentality.
If the players want to be part of it, that will be fantastic. I think they will. I think they will be very excited to be a part of this showcase of football.
Powell said the Olympics will raise the profile of women s football.
This will again set a catalyst for women s football, Powell said.
It will promote the sport, it will raise its profile and hopefully we ll have some success so I am really interested in the next few months going forward.
The fact that we are on home soil, the opportunity to play at Wembley for women s football is a fantastic opportunity.
Despite the likes of Wales star Gareth Bale expressing an interest in playing, Pearce may be forced to select only English players.
Olympic football is overlooked in Britain, but takes on greater importance around the world, particularly in South America.
Argentina have won the last two tournaments, with Barcelona striker Lionel Messi helping them to victory in 2008.
Well, I think if you take the role models that have gone before on the footballing stage, the Lionel Messi s of this world who have actually gone to court to fight his club to get released to go to a major tournament that is the Olympics, Pearce said.
I think with the announcement of myself and Hope (Powell) being the managers it really sparks it off and puts it straight into, certainly the players eyes at the moment, and it ll be at the forefront of their mind. It s less than a year now before we kick off.
The Olympics begin on the July 27, but the 16-team football tournament starts two days earlier.
