Manchester United hero Gary Neville claims he almost became England manager after talks

Gary Neville has disclosed that he was in line to become the England manager, following discussions with FA officials who saw him as the ideal successor to Roy Hodgson.

The Sky Sports pundit, who transitioned into coaching after hanging up his boots, served as Hodgson's assistant from 2012 to 2016, gaining experience at two European Championships and the World Cup in Brazil.

Neville, who completed his coaching qualifications, ventured into management with Valencia in December 2015, a tenure that ended prematurely after just 28 games. Reflecting on what might have been, Neville revealed on the Stick to Football podcast that Dan Ashworth, the FA's director of elite development at the time, had viewed his move to Valencia as a stepping stone towards the England role.

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"I've never said this publicly, but I remember getting the Valencia job in December, and Dan Ashworth rang me and said this was the perfect move for me to be on that next step for when Roy Hodgson decided he wanted to leave the England job, for me to take over," he shared.

"I always remember that phone call and him saying this was the perfect opportunity, but I look back now, and it was right that I failed in the job because I didn't put the work in. With how my work ethic is now, I needed to fail to have that slap in the face moment, for me to get back to it, which is where I am now."

England went on to appoint Sam Allardyce as Hodgson's successor in July 2016, a mere four months after Neville's dismissal from Valencia. Allardyce secured a two-year deal but led the team for only one game before resigning 67