Football: Neville joins Hodgson’s England staff

LONDON: Gary Neville has been appointed as an England coach on a four-year contract, the Football Association (FA) announced yesterday. The former Manchester United and England defender is now set to begin work under new England manager Roy Hodgson at next month’s European Championships. “Neville has achieved so much in the game as a player with Manchester United and England,” said Hodgson. The 37-year-old Neville will now join coach Ray Lewington and goal-keeping coaches Ray Clemence and Dave Watson in Hodgson’s coaching staff at the European Championships in Poland and Ukraine.”He has obtained Uefa coaching qualifications and will be tremendously respected by the players because of his vast experience as a player. At my first meeting with the FA, I explained that Neville was someone I wanted as part of my staff. I think it is very important we have a younger coach who knows the dressing room and is very experienced at the international level.”

Published in The Express Tribune, May 15^th, 2012.