Great Britain and England have returned to Danny Kerry to lead the women’s team through to the 2016 Olympic Games.

Kerry guided the side to a bronze medal at London 2012 before taking over as performance director for Team GB and England.

However, he reclaimed an interim coaching position with the women following the departure of Jason Lee just before this summer’s Commonwealth Games and will continue in the job up until the next Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, combining it with his existing role.

“Recruiting in the middle of an Olympic cycle is notoriously challenging given that most coaches are in contracts with long notice periods,” said England Hockey chief executive Sally Munday.

“We have spoken and interviewed a number of coaches about this role but with the Olympic qualifying tournament just nine months away we do not feel we have time to wait and as such have decided to extend Danny’s interim position

“Danny is an outstanding coach, has proven medal success at the Olympic Games and he knows what it will take to get the team on the podium in Rio.

“Danny has been doing an excellent job as performance director since being appointed after London 2012 and we will be providing additional support to allow him to maintain the strategic leadership role in performance.”

The women’s head coach job will be readvertised before the 2016 Olympics so the successful candidate can be in position for the start of the four-year cycle leading up to Tokyo, with Kerry returning to his main role as performance director.

“I’m highly motivated about the challenge ahead and I believe that with our athletes, staff and programme, we can continue to challenge the best in the world,” said Kerry.

“I look forward to working with this talented group of players and staff to push hard for further medals at major tournaments, secure qualification for the Rio Olympic Games and to perform as serious contenders in Rio.”