Phillip Neville

[Andi Istiabudi]

EXCLUSIVE: NEVILLE'S UPDATE ON MANAGERIAL PLANS

Phil Neville has given an update on his managerial future and hinted his next coaching job may lie in club football.

The former Manchester United stalwart has been head coach of the England Women’s national side since January 2018, but it was confirmed last week that Phil will leave the role when his contract expires next year.

Speaking on the latest MUTV Group Chat, the Academy graduate - who made 386 first-team appearances for the Reds - was asked about the coverage surrounding his upcoming career change.

“It was strange really because I still have 14 months left on my contract,” Phil explained. “I was getting messages from players thinking I was leaving straight away.

“My aim was to manage at the Euros next summer, with the first game being at Old Trafford, but, because that was put back, it got out that I wouldn’t be in charge for the Euros in 2022. Ultimately, I think it’s died down now and it’s just business as usual really. There’s still a long way to go.”

As well as managing the Lionesses, Phil has plenty of coaching experience with England Under-21s, Valencia and, of course, at United. However, the 43-year-old has no specific plans in place for his next role and is still focused on his current position.

“I think because it seems so long away - 14 months away [I haven't made any plans]. We’ve got another eight camps and maybe an Olympics to go to, so it’s in the back of my mind,” he said.

“I approach it as I did with the end of my career, as I did when I joined Valencia, that’s with a completely open mind. Whatever opportunities come my way, I will think about them. Ultimately, the biggest thing I want to do is finish the job with the Lionesses, which I’ve absolutely loved.”

While Phil isn’t thinking too far ahead, he did admit the daily work involved with club management appeals to him.

“I think what I would say is that international management can be really frustrating. You only get the girls for 12 days and it’s really intense - then you let them go back to their club managers and you can’t impact them for another three or four weeks,” he added.

“I think, when you’re young in management and you’ve got that energy, the day-to-day is probably now the next thing I’m looking for. I want to impact players more than on the international level.”

One manager who made the switch from coaching at international level, to club management, is United Women’s head-coach Casey Stoney. Neville knows the Reds boss well from their time together at the Lionesses and the former full-back was full of praise for the job she’s doing with the Reds.

“She was my assistant for the first six months,” Phil said. “I met her and, straight away, thought she was going to be a top coach.

“Within three months, I knew that she was getting frustrated with having no time on the grass and no matches to cover because of the international calendar. So the job at United came up and I told her she had to go for it.

“For me, she’s one of the best young coaches in the world, no doubt. The way she went into United and built a team within three months and got promotion, then the performances this year have been phenomenal.

“I think United are very lucky to have someone with that experience and standing within the women’s game, but also someone who is an outstanding coach and that should be something that everyone should know.”

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