Gary Neville, one of the nation's leading football analysts, has hinted at stepping away from his punditry commitments. Despite this, he insists that he won't retire from working altogether. The Manchester United icon and Sky Sports star has been addressing his future plans recently.
Neville hung up his boots on February 2, 2011, after nearly two decades of playing for Manchester United. He quickly swapped the pitch for broadcasting and replaced Andy Gray as a pundit on Sky Sports' Monday Night Football ahead of the 2011/12 season.
By 2013, Neville was co-presenting with Ed Chamberlin and had established himself as a top-tier football analyst. His excellent chemistry with Jamie Carragher, who joined in 2015, further cemented his status in sports broadcasting.
Expanding horizons
The relentless work ethic that defined Neville's playing days carried over into his post-football career. In addition to punditry duties, he launched 'The Overlap', a YouTube channel in partnership with Sky Bet featuring high-profile interviews and fan debates. Despite being known for juggling multiple business ventures alongside football work, questions about Neville's future plans have surfaced recently due to age and increasing responsibilities. When asked about retirement or taking it easy after turning 60 during an episode of 'The Overlap', Neville responded emphatically: "I won't retire."
His biggest bugbear is "people not working hard," suggesting that regardless of what form it takes; work will always be part of his life.
When asked where he sees himself in ten years time during an interview last month; however; he gave a tongue-in-cheek yet possibly revealing answer saying: "Hopefully not sat in this chair answering these questions!"
Stepping back from Monday Night Football
Since Autumn of last year, Neville has been gradually stepping back from Monday Night Football. While he may still make occasional appearances on the programme, the focus seems to be shifting towards special guest appearances.
Gary Neville, Manchester United legend, said:
"So tomorrow, I'm expected to do set-pieces, whereas with Sky, on Monday Night Football, there are some set pieces which I prepare for - but now I don't do Monday Night Football anymore, I don't do set-pieces any more."
Away from football, Neville runs an investment firm named 'Relentless', established in 2015. The venture supports businesses and allows him to indulge his passion for property development. In addition to this, Neville co-founded University Academy 92 (UA92) with fellow Manchester United legends Phil Neville, Ryan Giggs, Paul Scoles and Nicky Butt. UA92 is a higher education institution aiming to modernise education and make it more accessible for all. Neville also acquired Salford City FC as a non-league football club with his former teammates in 2014 and has helped them ascend up the ladder to League Two.
