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Phil Neville confirms retirement

By on June 9, 2013

Phil Neville has confirmed his retirement, ending his amazing 18-year career and paving the way for a coaching or media job. Neville made 692 appearances for Manchester United and Everton during his career, also earning 59 caps for England. The defender is currently finishing his Uefa A coaching license and is poised to turn to management this summer, along with fellow member of the legendary class of ’92  Paul Scholes.

Neville, 36, began his senior career at Manchester United, as part of Sir Alex Ferguson’s legendary Class of ’92.  Although not featuring as the club’s first choice left-back (as Denis Irwin held the starting position), Neville helped the United win the Premier League and FA Cup titles in 1995/97.  Neville featured in many games of United’s 1996/97 title winning season, but during the 1998/99 season Neville finally established himself as United’s first choice halfback, and helped the club win the league four more times, the FA Cup title twice, and the Champions League before moving on to Everton in 2005.

Although the 36-year-old featured in almost every one of Everton’s matches from 2005 to 2012, he only appeared 18 times last season due to injury and old age.  While the England international was set to leave the club during the summer, Neville has decided to end his 18-year career.

When asked whether he would end his career at the end of last season, Neville replied: “Did you not see me training? I was speaking to Robbie Fowler about this the other week. He hasn’t officially retired. Three weeks ago, everyone in the world seemed to be retiring. I thought: ‘I’m not jumping on this bandwagon.’ I just wanted it to be a smooth, quiet turnover.

“When I made a statement that I was leaving Everton, everywhere I went I seemed to be getting: ‘Oh you’ve been brilliant.’ I didn’t like it. I didn’t want to be seen as an attention seeker. In my heart, I knew that I wouldn’t be playing again – at any level. I just wanted to drift away. The biggest thing I will miss is 4 July when Everton are due back for pre-season training. I loved that day. I lived for it, getting back with the lads.”

About Alex Morgan

Alex Morgan, founder of Football Every Day, lives and breaths football from the West Coast of the United States in California. Aside from founding Football Every Day in January of 2013, Alex has also launched his own journalism career and hopes to help others do the same with FBED. He covers the San Jose Earthquakes as a beat reporter for QuakesTalk.com and his work has also been featured in the BBC's Match of the Day Magazine.