Ferdinand: Neville is going to 'be a big loss'
Gary Neville’s next move is awaited with keen interest after the Manchester United stalwart confirmed his retirement with immediate effect last night.
Twenty-four hours after Neville’s name appeared on United’s official 25-man Premier League squad, the 35-year-old’s sudden announcement hints at an immediate change of job.
And, while the reserve-team job that remains open following Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s departure for Molde is a possibility, the tone of Neville’s words suggested at least a partial severing of ties.
That points towards the Sky pundit’s job he was linked with in the immediate aftermath of Andy Gray’s departure last week, even though Neville’s behaviour towards Liverpool and Manchester City in particular hardly paints him as an objective analyst.
Even last night he was pushing his United credentials as he looked back on a career that has brought him eight Premier League titles and a Champions League in his 602 appearances in addition to 85 England caps.
“I have been a Manchester United fan all my life and fulfilled every dream I’ve ever had.
“I have played in the most incredible football teams, playing with some of the best players in the world as well as against them and I have been lucky to be a part of the team’s achievements and the club’s great success.
“I am looking forward to new experiences and the club will always be a part of my life going forward.
“However the most important thing now is for the club to continue with the success that is synonymous with Manchester United and I will be supporting them all the way, as a fan.”
Neville has been a controversial figure. He was fined £5,000 and warned about his future conduct by the FA after racing half the length of the field to celebrate in front of the Liverpool fans after a last-minute winner against the Reds in 2006.
He was also engaged in a touchline spat with former team-mate Carlos Tevez during last season’s Carling Cup semi-final first-leg with Manchester City but Neville made the most of his talent.
He is widely acknowledged as the best right-back in Premier League history and was also a vocal leader within the dressing room, long before he inherited the United captain’s armband from Roy Keane in November 2005, a fact acknowledged by long-time team-mate Rio Ferdinand as the news broke.
“The best right-back in Premier League history, fact,” said Ferdinand on Twitter.
“Gonna be a big loss to our dressing room.”
