Roy Hodgson Appoints Gary Neville As Coach For England

Hodgson Appoints Neville As England Coach
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Gary Neville has been appointed as a coach to Roy Hodgson's England staff.

The former Manchester United and Three Lions right-back will make up part of Hodgson's team for the summer's European Championship, having signed a four-year contract.

The England Manager said: "Gary has achieved so much in the game as a player with Manchester United and England.

"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 Gary 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 international level.

"That he has represented England as a player at five major finals tournaments will make him an invaluable member of staff."

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Neville making his England debut in June 1995

Neville, 37, added: "Roy asking me to be a part of his staff and to work with the national team is not only an honour but a very special moment for me.

"I had absolutely no hesitation in accepting this role and I am relishing the opportunity to work alongside Roy and the team at the Euros and through to the next two tournaments"

Neville won 85 caps for England between 1995 and 2007, representing his country at Euro 96, World Cup 98, Euro 2000, Euro 2004 and the 2006 World Cup.

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A one-club man, he made 602 appearances for Manchester United, winning eight Premier League titles, four FA Cups, two League Cups and one European Cup.

Since retiring in February 2011, he has emerged as one of the finest pundits on television in his role for Sky Sports, predominantly during the 2011/12 season.

It was believed Neville's brother Philip would take up a role in the England setup, having been invited to join the Under-21s in February.

Gary has often spoken of a lack of desire to get into coaching, despite holding UEFA A and B Coaching Licences.

In his autobiography, Neville said: "I need plenty of convincing that my future lies in the dugout... can I find the motivation to work obsessively which is necessary to be a good manager?"

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Neville celebrates after assisting Alan Shearer against Scotland at Euro 96

Neville joins Hodgson's former Fulham confidant Ray Lewington and former Barnsley goalkeeper Dave Watson as new personnel joining England's staff.

The FA's appointment is a surprise considering how outspoken Neville has been of the organisation as a player and as a pundit.

After the organisation stripped John Terry of the captaincy this year, Neville commented: "Taking the armband won't stop him being leader of the group: he is the most prominent figure in that dressing room."

Hodgson will name his squad of 23 on Wednesday, with rumours mounting Terry will not be included.

In 2003, Neville led a proposed strike of a crucial Euro 2004 qualifier against Turkey in October after Rio Ferdinand was dropped from the England squad for failing to attend a drugs test in September.

Neville accused then FA chief executive Mark Palios of being "judge and f*****g jury", with only a telephone call from United manager Sir Alex Ferguson persuading him to back down.

Coincidentally, Neville wrote how vital it was Hodgson got his backroom staff right in his Mail on Sunday column eight days ago.