Man U veteran defender Neville retires
By ANIThursday, February 3, 2011
LONDON - Veteran Manchester United defender Gary Neville has announced his retirement from football after making 602 appearances for the club and playing 85 times for England in a 20-year-long career.
During his time with Manchester United, the club won eight Premier League titles, three FA Cups and one European Cup.
Manager Sir Alex Ferguson said on Wednesday night that 35-year-old Neville was “the best English right-back of his generation”.
The Guardian quoted Neville, as saying: “Obviously I am disappointed that my playing days are at an end. However it comes to us all and it’s knowing when that time is and for me that time is now.”
Speculation is rife that he would join Sky’s roster of football pundits in the wake of the sacking of Andy Gray.
He is expected to combine a broadcasting career with his business interests and an ongoing role at Manchester United, whether in a coaching or ambassadorial capacity.
The club has a tradition of maintaining links with its iconic names, from Sir Bobby Charlton to Bryan Robson and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who recently left his position as reserve team coach to take over as manager of Molde in his native Norway. (ANI)
