Antonio Valencia believes that Gary Neville still has a chance to become a Premier League manager in the future, according to Ladbrokes. This would be another blow for Sky Sports, who are already set to lose two other popular pundits down the line.
Neville's Previous Management Experience
Neville has worked in the dugout previously, first as an assistant to Roy Hodgson with England, then as head coach at Valencia. He joined the La Liga club in December 2015 and lasted just over three months before being sacked the following March, winning only 10 of his 28 games in charge.
Despite that difficult spell, his former Manchester United team-mate believes he has the skills to succeed in England. Valencia insists that the Old Trafford hero just needs "big names" to work with who could handle his leadership skills.
Valencia's Endorsement
Valencia exclusively told Ladbrokes: "Gary Neville was always very good to me, from when I was a youngster at the club. I could see very early on that he was a great communicator, a leader."
"I'm very happy for him, and the career he's had, both on and off the football pitch. It's great he's still connected to the game in a big way, and I think he's one of the best at what he does."
"He obviously had a brief period as a manager, where things didn't work out for him at Valencia. I think he lacked big names within that squad, and he wasn't able to bring in the players he'd have wanted, which is why he struggled."
"I would love to see him back in management though, even in the Premier League, because he's a passionate guy who has a lot to say and give. I think he'd do a great job as a manager now."
Potential Impact on Sky Sports
A potential return to management for Neville could spell trouble for his current position at Sky Sports. The former England international is part of a beloved punditry team at the network, which includes Jamie Carragher, Roy Keane and Micah Richards.
Richards has pledged to quit the job by 2034, claiming that the World Cup in Saudi Arabia will be his final major tournament. He told the Daily Telegraph: "I'll be out of all this by the time I turn 46."
"You won't see me on any mainstream media beyond the 2034 World Cup. That will be the last time I am on the BBC or Sky or CBS. I've told them all this and they think I'm joking. I'm not."
Keane shares a similar sentiment, stating that he will soon be heading abroad to retire. Speaking on the Stick to Football podcast in 2024, the ex-United midfielder said: "In the next couple of years, I reckon I will be moving abroad... putting it out there."
