ENI ALUKO hopes young female players who do not make the grade as pros will not be deterred from pursuing football careers off the pitch.

The former Chelsea star spoke out this week as Arsenal boss Jonas Eidevall said female coaches and technical staff are "the most under-tapped resource in professional football".

Debate around the lack of women working as coaches in the professional game as well as in backroom roles on these shores has been ongoing.

Currently just four managers in the WSL are female with Carla Ward, Emma Hayes, Kelly Chambers and Rehanne Skinner in charge of Aston Villa, Chelsea, Reading and Tottenham.