After ten years as a professional with Manchester United, during which time he won six Premier League titles, three FA Cups, three FA Charity Shields, the Intercontinental Cup and the Champions League, he joined Everton in 2005, where he spent the final eight years of his playing career. Neville also played for England 59 times between 1996 and 2007, representing the nation at three European Championships. He could play in defence or midfield; due to this versatility, he operated in a number of different positions throughout his career, but was most often used as a left-back.
After earning his UEFA B Coaching Licence, Neville began his coaching career in 2012, filling in for Stuart Pearce with the England under-21s. He then worked as a coach at Manchester United, and as assistant manager to his brother Gary at Valencia in La Liga. On 23 January 2018, Neville was appointed head coach of the England women's team.[4] He led the "Lionesses" to fourth place at the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup.
Born in Bury, Greater Manchester, Neville attended Elton High School, where he captained the football team for five years.[5] Along with brother Gary, he joined the Manchester United Academy, signing associate schoolboy forms in September 1990. In the 1992–93 season, he played 23 times for the club's junior teams, including four times in the FA Youth Cup as the club attempted to defend the title Gary Neville had won the previous season; Neville appeared alongside his brother in the second leg of the 1993 Youth Cup final, but they were unable to overturn a 2–0 deficit from the first leg at Old Trafford, and Leeds won 4–1 on aggregate. In July 1993, Neville signed a trainee contract with the club, and in October that year he made his debut for the reserve team, coming on for Darren Ferguson in a 2–0 win over Everton in The Central League. He went on to make eight appearances for the reserves in the 1993–94 season, as well as a further 31 for the junior teams, culminating in him winning the Jimmy Murphy Player of the Year Award in May 1994, followed by his first professional contract in June.
Neville made his senior debut for Manchester United on 28 January 1995 in a 5–2 win at home to Wrexham in the fourth round of the 1994–95 FA Cup.[6] His league debut came two weeks later, when he started against Manchester City in the Manchester derby at Maine Road. He made one more first-team appearance in 1994–95, coming on as a substitute in a 1–0 win at home to Sheffield Wednesday. The following week, he captained United in both legs of the Youth Cup final against Tottenham Hotspur; after a 2–1 loss at White Hart Lane and a 1–0 win at Old Trafford, the tie came down to penalties; Neville missed his kick, but two misses from Spurs meant United won the shoot-out 4–3 to claim their second Youth Cup title in four seasons.[7]
Neville's graduation and eventual establishment in the first-team meant he became known as one of "Fergie's Fledglings".[8] On 19 August 1995, in the first game of the following season, he was substituted at half-time in a 3–1 loss at Aston Villa; the match is remembered for pundit Alan Hansen's "You can't win anything with kids" comment on Manchester United, who went on to win the double.[9] He did not play at left-back frequently due to the presence of Denis Irwin; for some time he played at right-back while his brother played in central defence, and in the 1996 FA Cup Final victory against Liverpool he played this position while Gary was an unused substitute.[10]
While at Manchester United, he was booked many times, such as in the 2002–03 season when he received 13 yellow cards, despite only starting 35 competitive games.[11] In September 2003, Neville received a warning from The Football Association regarding his future conduct for his behaviour after Manchester United's game against rival side Arsenal.[12]
On 4 August 2005, Neville joined Everton on a five-year contract for a fee in excess of £3 million.[13] He made his debut in a UEFA Champions League qualifier against Villarreal, coming face-to-face with his former Manchester United colleague Diego Forlán.[14] The following weekend, Neville made his Premier League debut for the Toffees, against Manchester United; The match marked the first time Phil and brother Gary had played for opposing teams.[15]
Captaincy
Neville's attitude, work rate and willingness to play anywhere saw him become one of manager David Moyes' favourites. On 8 August 2006, Neville was announced as vice-captain to David Weir, and – on Weir's departure to Rangers in January 2007 – he became the club captain.[16] In the Manchester United–Everton match on 29 November 2006, Phil and his brother Gary became the first siblings to captain their respective clubs against each other in the Premier League.[17]
Neville commented in the press about the first ever red cards of his long career (he never received any playing for Manchester United), claiming that he would perhaps not have been booked in a game against Fulham if he had been playing for United. However, he finished with more cards than any other Premier League player in 2005–06 (including another red soon after his first).[18] Neville scored his first goal for Everton in a 3–0 Premier League victory against Newcastle United on 30 December 2006.[19]
On 30 March 2008, Neville was assaulted by a Liverpool fan as he took a throw-in during the 1–0 Merseyside derby Premier League defeat at Anfield.[20] On 24 April, the fan, 48-year-old Michael Blackmore, was later banned from all matches in England and Wales for three years after admitting common assault.[21]
Later years and retirement
On 19 April 2009, Neville scored his penalty to help knock out his former club, Manchester United, in a penalty shoot-out in the semi-finals of the FA Cup, he sent the keeper the wrong way, putting it low to the keeper's right.[22] On 19 February 2011, Neville scored the winning penalty in the penalty shoot-out against Chelsea to knock them out of the FA Cup, after a 1–1 draw at Stamford Bridge.[23] On 9 April 2011, Neville scored against Wolves, his 12th senior goal and his first in three years.[24] On 21 September, Neville scored in the League Cup game against West Bromwich Albion, this time a clinical effort, which was the deciding goal in the game.[25] The goal was judged to be the Everton's goal of the season at the club's end of season awards.[26]
On 9 April 2013, he announced that he would leave Everton at the end of the season when his contract ended.[27] He subsequently announced his retirement from professional football.[28]
International career
Neville was regularly picked for England squads, making his debut against China on 23 May 1996.[29][30] He played alongside his brother in this match; they had appeared together in the 1996 FA Cup Final two weeks earlier and thus were the first pair of brothers to play together in an FA Cup-final winning side and for England in the same season since Hubert and Francis Heron in 1876, 120 years earlier.[31]
He was only briefly a regular first-choice player for the side, as a left-back in 2000 under Kevin Keegan's management.[32][33] Under his successor Sven-Göran Eriksson, Ashley Cole was the preferred left back, followed by Wayne Bridge.[34] Neville once briefly captained the side in a friendly match (a game in which England fielded four different captains).[35] Despite having been in the England squad at the 1996, 2000 and 2004 European Championships, and having 59 England caps (23 as a substitute), Neville was never in an England World Cup squad.[36]
Neville's England career included the honour of being the youngest member of Terry Venables' squad for Euro 96,[37] though he never kicked a ball (his brother played in every match until the semi-finals). He was one of the players omitted at the last minute by Glenn Hoddle when he was selecting his final 22 for the 1998 World Cup, Hoddle's decision left Neville in tears, though media attention was almost entirely devoted to the exclusion of another player, Paul Gascoigne.[38] Neville revealed in an interview that Gascoigne, not usually noted for his maturity, took the younger Neville brother under his wing and consoled him.[39]
Keegan played Neville at left-back in Euro 2000; Neville received criticism and a large proportion of blame for England's exit, when he committed a late foul on Viorel Moldovan, leading to a penalty for Romania, which Ionel Ganea scored to win the match.[40]
Neither of the Nevilles went to the 2002 World Cup – Phil was left out of the 23-man squad, while Gary was injured.[38][41] Both were back in the squad for Euro 2004.[42] The brothers played together for England for the first time in seven years in a friendly against Spain on 7 February 2007, which England lost 1–0.[43] They hold the record number of England appearances by a pair of brothers (142) and the most starts in the same England team by two brothers (31).[44]
Phil Neville was not included in Sven-Göran Eriksson's squad for the 2006 World Cup as Eriksson wanted to give young players a chance.[45] However, he was drafted into Eriksson's stand-by group of players after Nigel Reo-Coker withdrew through injury.[46] Neville remained in the England squad with new England manager Steve McClaren and started at right-back in September 2006 against Andorra.[47] He was not called up after 2007.[citation needed]
Style of play
Neville was primarily known for his work-rate and versatility as a footballer, and was capable of playing in several defensive and midfield positions; he was usually deployed as either a full-back or wing-back, and was capable of playing on the left side, as well as the right, despite being naturally right-footed; he was even able to play as a central midfielder. Although he was not the most spectacular or offensive-minded defender, and was occasionally criticised by pundits for his lack of pace, as well as his limited passing ability and skill on the ball, he was known to be a consistent player from a defensive standpoint, who also stood out for his leadership qualities. However, he also drew criticism in the media for his uncompromising nature and tendency to pick up cards. In 2010, Varun Mathure of Bleacher Report described him as one of the most underrated players in the Premier League.[48][49][50]
Managerial career
Neville serving as assistant coach of Valencia CF in 2015
In February 2013, Neville was being considered for the England U20 managerial position for the 2013 FIFA U-20 World Cup.[55] In May 2013, Neville was interviewed by Bill Kenwright for the vacant manager's role at Everton, but the job went to Roberto Martínez.[56] On 4 July 2013, Neville became first-team coach of Manchester United, where he would be reunited with manager David Moyes. It was announced on the same day Moyes named Ryan Giggs as player/coach.[57]
In 2014, it was announced that Neville, along with fellow Manchester United players Gary Neville, Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes and Nicky Butt had agreed a deal to purchase Salford City ahead of the 2014–15 season.[58][59] with plans to get the club to the Football League.[60] The group announced they would take part in a special friendly, with Salford facing a Class of '92 team.[61][62][63] On 22 September, the group agreed to sell a 50% stake in the club to billionaire Peter Lim.[64][65] Neville and Scholes briefly took charge of Salford City in a 2–1 home win over Kendal Town, following the sacking of Phil Power.[66]
Neville joined La Liga side Valencia, also owned by Lim, as a coach under manager Nuno Espírito Santo in July 2015.[67] On 30 November, after the resignation of Nuno, Neville was named as assistant to interim coach Voro,[68] before his brother took the managerial position two days later.[69]
England Women
Phil Neville as England manager in a post match interview following a friendly against New Zealand in 2019.
Neville made his England managerial debut at the 2018 SheBelieves Cup, an annual invitational tournament held in the United States. On 1 March 2018, England won their opening game against France 4–1 before a 2–2 draw against Germany put the Lionesses in a position to win the competition with a victory in the final game against hosts United States. However, a 1–0 defeat saw them finish in second place. After an undefeated 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup qualification campaign, England returned to the SheBelieves tournament in 2019, this time facing Brazil and Japan as well as hosts United States again. A 2–1 victory over Brazil in the opening game and a 2–2 draw with the United States meant England won the tournament for the first time by defeating Japan 3–0 in the third game, even with the United States still to play their final game against Brazil.[71]
Neville's England side finished first in Group D, with wins against Scotland, Argentina and Japan.[73] After back-to-back 3–0 wins against Cameroon and Norway, England reached their second consecutive Women's World Cup semi-final and also secured Team GB one of the three qualifying places allocated to UEFA for the 2020 Summer Olympics.[74][75] On 2 July 2019, England lost 2–1 to the United States in the semi-finals.[76] Four days later, following a 2–1 defeat to Sweden in the third place play-off, England ended the World Cup in fourth place.[77] He came under fire for his postgame comments, calling the bronze medal match a "nonsense game."[78][79]
On 30 June 2019, the FA announced that Neville would be appointed manager of Team GB Women for the 2020 Summer Olympics following England's successful de facto qualification performance at the 2019 World Cup.[80]
In the wake of the World Cup exit, England's form dropped as the Lionesses struggled in a series of friendlies to end the year including a 2–1 defeat by Germany at Wembley Stadium on 9 November 2019. The game set a new record attendance for an England women's match at 77,768.[81] The poor run continued into 2020 as England failed to defend their title at the 2020 SheBelieves Cup in March. Losses to the United States and Spain made it seven defeats in 11 games, the team's worst stretch since 2003, mounting further pressure on Neville who admitted he was personally responsible for England's "unacceptable" form amid increased media scrutiny.[82][83][84][85] On 22 April 2020, Neville announced he would be leaving his position as manager in July 2021 when his contract was due to expire.[86] As Euro 2021, set to be hosted in England, was pushed back a year to 2022 in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, Neville would no longer lead the team at the tournament.[87] Despite initially stating he would see out his contract, Neville stepped down as manager of England, and Team GB on 18 January 2021 amid speculation linking him to the vacant Inter Miami CF job.[88][89]
Inter Miami
Neville coaching for Inter Miami in 2023
On 18 January 2021, Neville was appointed as the head coach of Inter Miami CF, a club owned by his former Manchester United teammate and current Salford City co-owner David Beckham.[90][91] He made his debut on 18 April as the team lost 3–2 at home to LA Galaxy in their season opener.[92] After twelve games, Inter Miami had won just two games and had the worst record in MLS.[93] In October, he was fined by MLS for calling for an investigation into referees' calls against his team, while on the pitch his team had their second six-game losing run of the season.[94] The team finished their debut season 11th of 14 in the Eastern Conference.[95]
In Inter Miami's first season of the U.S. Open Cup in 2022, Neville led them to the last 16 before a penalty shootout loss at Florida neighbours Orlando City SC on 25 May.[96] In his second MLS season as head coach, the club reached the MLS Cup playoffs for the first time in their history by finishing sixth in the Eastern Conference, before a 3–0 loss at New York City FC in the first round on 17 October 2022.[97] On 7 November, he extended his contract.[98]
On 1 June 2023, Inter Miami announced that the club had parted ways with Neville. At the time, the club was in last place in the Eastern Conference. "Sometimes in this game we have to make the toughest decisions and sadly we feel the time is right to make a change," said Beckham.[99]
On 6 November 2023, Neville was named the head coach of the Portland Timbers on a contract that runs through the 2026 MLS season. His hiring was criticized by fans and the team's largest supporters group due to past sexist remarks.[101]
Neville was employed by BBC One as a commentator and pundit during the 2014 FIFA World Cup. His commentary of the England–Italy match on 14 June attracted 445 complaints for his "lack of emotion and 'monotone style'".[106] He reflected on this in an online article by stating "I played it back the next day and it did not sound like it was me commentating. I was trying to be somebody I wasn't, and I knew I could do better than that".[107]
The BBC received further complaints for Neville's comments in January 2015, after Arsenal's Tomáš Rosický played a pass while looking in another direction; Neville said that if he were playing against a player doing that in training, he would deliberately injure that player. He admitted making an unacceptable comment, while the BBC stated that the tone of discussion was light-hearted enough to suggest Neville was not endorsing violence.[108]
Neville and pop singer Olly Murs in a 2014 charity football match
Neville attended Elton High School with his siblings. While in school, he captained his school football team throughout the whole five years he was there. Neville was also a talented cricketer in his youth, and a contemporary of England all-rounderAndrew Flintoff in Lancashire's Under-19 side, captaining England Under-15s.[110][111] Neville holds the record for being the youngest player to play for Lancashire's second XI at age 15.[112] Flintoff described Neville as a "cricketing genius" whose talents could have compared to Ricky Ponting or Sachin Tendulkar, if he had chosen a cricket career.[113]
Neville is the younger brother of fellow former Manchester United defender Gary Neville, and the twin brother of former international and former England netball head coach Tracey Neville. His father, Neville Neville, was commercial director of Football League club Bury.[114] His mother Jill used to play netball in the local leagues, and worked as General Manager and Club Secretary for Bury.[115]
Neville is married to Julie (née Killilea); the couple have a son, Harvey, and a daughter, Isabella.[116] Harvey is currently a player with Inter Miami and has represented the Republic of Ireland national under-19 football team, being eligible despite being born in England as Neville's wife is of Irish descent.[117]
He made the property headlines in April 2008, when he struggled to sell his £4million mansion in Lancashire.[118] In May 2009, he accepted a £2.6million cash offer for the house from local businessman Matthew Greensmith.[119]
Neville became vegetarian in 2014, after a challenge from his wife to try the diet for two weeks. He said in a PETA video that "I started to feel healthier, leaner. I started to feel great."[120]
Philanthropy
Neville's daughter Isabella has cerebral palsy, which has led to Neville becoming an ambassador of Bliss, the special care baby charity, and a patron of Royal Manchester Children's Hospital's New Children's Hospital Appeal.[116] Neville has also raised money for the Good Life Orphanage in Kenya[121] and the Warrington Youth Club.[122] Neville co-founded Foundation 92 with Gary Neville, Ryan Giggs, Nicky Butt, and Paul Scholes, all teammates who met playing for Manchester United in 1992. The organization supports wellbeing and outreach programs for the Salford and Greater Manchester community.[123]
Career statistics
Club
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition[124][125]
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References
↑ Hugman, Barry J. (2005). The PFA Premier & Football League Players' Records 1946–2005. Queen Anne Press. p.454. ISBN1-85291-665-6.
↑ Hugman, Barry J., ed. (2008). The PFA Footballers' Who's Who 2008–09. Edinburgh: Mainstream Publishing. p.310. ISBN978-1-84596-324-8.
↑ Naylor, Davey. "Phillip John Neville". EnglandStats.com. England International Database 1872−2020. Archived from the original on 27 April 2020. Retrieved 27 April 2020.
↑ Moore, Glenn (24 May 1996). "Compelling case made by Barmby". The Independent. Independent Digital News & Media. Archived from the original on 27 July 2018. Retrieved 27 April 2020.
↑ Bostock, Adam (4 May 2010). "Award joy for Keane". ManUtd.com. Manchester United Football Club. Archived from the original on 5 November 2013. Retrieved 30 April 2020.
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