Gary Neville, former Manchester United player and current Sky Sports pundit, recently revealed a rule he set for himself when he joined the broadcasting company. In a podcast called “Stick to Football: The Overlap Special,” Neville, along with his co-stars Ian Wright, Roy Keane, and Jill Scott, discussed the challenges of being a pundit. When asked about the hardest part of the job, Neville mentioned the difficulty of criticizing his former teammate, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, when he was under pressure as the manager of Manchester United. Despite the team’s poor performances, Neville explained that he would never call for a manager to be sacked.
Neville emphasized that going against Solskjaer was never an option for him, even though fans and pundits often want to see managers lose their jobs. He stated that this rule was something he established for himself when he joined Sky Sports 13 years ago and that he has never broken it. Neville also mentioned another manager, Steve Kean at Blackburn Rovers, who faced a tough time and hinted that he may have wanted to be sacked, but Neville refrained from advocating for his dismissal.
Roy Keane, another former Manchester United player and pundit, chimed in, highlighting the importance of giving an opinion as a pundit. He emphasized that pundits should not just talk without saying anything substantial and should not shy away from expressing their views, even if they are not popular. Keane also acknowledged the challenges of being a pundit, such as discussing players you have played with and managing different demands.
In addition to discussing his role as a pundit, Neville also revealed his pet hates during the podcast. He expressed his dislike for barbecues, calling them an “unsociable eating experience,” and mentioned his distaste for shoehorns and WhatsApp groups. Keane shared some similar dislikes, such as people with flashy cars who park wherever they want, suggesting that their tires should be slashed as punishment.
In a separate segment of the podcast, Neville’s thoughts on potential candidates for the next England manager were discussed. While many believe the search for a new manager is between Eddie Howe and Graham Potter, Neville disagreed. He argued that the Football Association (FA) should consider Steven Gerrard or Frank Lampard for the role. Despite both Lampard and Gerrard facing criticism and setbacks in their managerial careers, Neville highlighted their football knowledge and experience at the international level. He also mentioned the respect they would command from players and emphasized that being an England manager is not solely about coaching but also about managing and making the right decisions.
Neville concluded by expressing doubt that the FA would consider Lampard or Gerrard for the position, despite their qualifications and character. He believed that if given the opportunity, either of them could excel as England’s manager.