Gary Neville has revealed that he delayed his retirement following a conversation with legendary Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson.
There comes a time in every footballer’s career when they know their time on the pitch is over.
Gary Neville became a Manchester United legend during his 20-year stint at Old Trafford. The right-back emerged from the academy as a member of the Class of ’92 to become an integral part of the 1999 treble-winning side.
The 50-year-old hung up his boots in 2011, having won eight Premier League titles, three FA Cups and two Champions League triumphs.
Neville, who is now a pundit and entrepreneur, will go down in history as one of the best right-backs to play for Manchester United and England.
Since retiring, Neville has established himself as a leading football pundit, podcaster, and part-owner of Salford City, as well as being a financial backer in multiple properties including Hotel Football.
Sir Alex Ferguson played a key role in delaying Gary Neville’s retirement
Along with fellow former footballers, including Roy Keane, Neville can be heard on the Stick to Football podcast sharing his views of current events in the game on top of stories from his playing career.
That was the case again this week as Neville opened up on delaying his decision to retire because Sir Alex Ferguson made it clear he was needed.
Neville made 602 appearances for United since his debut in 1992 and won a total of 85 England caps. He has revealed that he delayed his retirement by a year following a request from Ferguson, though his final season as a player didn’t go as planned due to calf problems.
“At the end of the previous season [before I retired], I thought I was retiring,” Neville said. “I played the last 15 games and felt pretty good.
“There was one afternoon that I was in the office and David Gill rang me and said that he [Sir Alex Ferguson] wanted me to stay next year. I said that I’m not staying. He said that I better go see him [Sir Alex Ferguson].
“I saw him the morning after, and he said that I still have a lot left to give. I went home and I spoke to my dad, and he said imagine retiring at a point where you’re still wanted by Sir Alex Ferguson to play for Manchester United and you’re still playing now. I thought okay and I just went for it.
“In the first day of pre-season, I started training in the summer and I’m running next to Paul Scholes – and then my calf went. I pulled my calf on the first day, the first morning.
“I came back and then played against Everton in October and I didn’t play very well. I kept pulling my calf every time I came back. Then I played against Stoke [City] and I got substituted just after half-time.
“He [Sir Alex Ferguson] then came to me in December and said that he needs me on New Year’s Day against West Bromwich [Albion]. I thought that I was nowhere near that, I just knew it.
“You can’t say ‘no I’m not playing’, though, can you?”
Neville would agree that the less said about that game against West Brom the better…
Roy Keane reflects on the end of his career
It is no secret that Roy Keane left Manchester United under a grey cloud after falling out with Sir Alex Ferguson.
Sadly, that relationship has yet to be repaired as two United legends may never see eye-to-eye again, but Keane steered away from going into detail about that on the latest podcast.
The Irishman revealed that he thought he had another year left in him before he left United to join Celtic.
“My last game at Manchester United was a 0-0 draw against Liverpool – I was doing okay. I sat in midfield,” Keane said.
“I could have played on longer for a year or two, but when I got to the summer, I knew I’d had enough.
“I still had another year in me, but I didn’t want anyone to persuade me and tell me I could keep going – because it was done.”
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