Former Everton midfielder Phil Neville, who retired from football at the end of last season, is widely expected to go into coaching after being part of the England under 21 set up along with Stuart Pearce.
The former Manchester United midfielder has been linked with a coaching role at either one of his former club’s – Everton or Manchester United. Manchester United recently appointed former Everton manager David Moyes as the replacement for Sir Alex Ferguson. His connections with David Moyes is widely expected to land him a coaching role at Manchester United.
Neville has spoken of his admiration for former Manchester United assistant manager Steve McLaren, who has managed to form a managerial career of his own since leaving the Red Devils. The 36-year-old Neville recently completed his A-licence and he will be taking the other UEFA coaching badges as well. He has praised the tactical brilliance of former England manager Terry Venables. Over the course of his stellar career, Neville managed to make 59 appearances for the national team since making his debut in 1996.
Aside from Terry Venables and Steve McLaren, he has also spoken in glowing praise of our performance England managers like Glenn Hoddle. An extremely versatile player, Neville was capable of playing either in midfield or in defence.
“Terry Venables was brilliant. In terms of the whole management thing, he was the most rounded. He had man-management. He had a fiery side. The players respected him. Tactically he was brilliant. I liked the ways he had coaches around him who challenged him, Don Howe and Bryan Robson. The fact that the No 2 and No 3 were not afraid to express an opinion would make the senior coach even better. Glenn Hoddle’s training sessions were brilliant, really enjoyable,” said the 36-year-old, who is weighing up offers from Manchester United and Everton.