Who is Man United legend Gary Neville?
Gary Alexander Neville, who was born on 18 February 1975, is an English former professional football player. Neville spent his whole playing career with the Premier League club Man United.
At the time of his retirement in 2011, Gary was the second-longest-serving footballer at Man UNited behind long-time teammate Ryan Giggs and had served as Red Devils captain for five years.
Neville is one of the most decorated English and European players of all time, having won 20 titles, including 8 Premier League trophies and 2 Champions League trophies.
Gary played his international debut game in 1995 and was first-choice right-back for the Three Lions for more than ten years, representing England at three European Championships and two World Cups.
Gary is England’s most-capped right-back with 85 games. Neville was subsequently selected at right-back for England by five different managers.
Gary had been the youngest first-choice footballer in the Three Lions first team during his debut competition, Euro 96, playing in every match until the semi-final, for which the Englishman was suspended. Gary is the older brother of Phil Neville, who is a former Man United and Everton footballers.
Gary Neville’s managerial career
Gary, who holds UEFA Pro Coaching Licences, was appointed to the Three Lions senior team coaching staff by newly-appointed boss Roy Hodgson in May 2012 along with Ray Lewington and goalkeeping coach Dave Watson, signing a four-year deal with the FA.
This saw him on the coaching team for Euro 2012. Gary continued to work as assistant coach of the Three Lions through the 2014 Mundial and subsequent Euro 2016 qualifying campaign.
Gary was appointed as manager at Valencia in La Liga in December 2015. Gary’s brother Phil had recently been a caretaker coach and continued to work with his brother at the Spanish club.
On 9 December, Gary managed his first match in charge of the Spanish club, suffering a 2–0 defeat with Lyon in the Champions League. In February 2016, Valencia lost 7–0 away to Barcelona in the first leg of the semi-final of the Copa del Rey.
The Bats recorded their first victory under the Englishman in a 2–1 win at home with Espanyol on 13 February 2016. In March 2016, Gary was sacked by Valencia, according to BBC.
At the time of his sacking, the Bats were 14th in the league, just six points clear of the relegation place, and had won just three of their 16 league matches under Gary Neville.
