Gary Neville reveals what Dan Ashworth told him about taking one of the biggest roles in England

Gary Neville has revealed what Dan Ashworth told the Manchester United legend about potentially taking the job of England manager.

Gary Neville’s managerial career was short and not so sweet. In December 2015, the Manchester United legend took over as manager of La Liga club Valencia. However, he lasted just 28 games and was sacked by April 2016.

The now-famous Sky Sports pundit has not taken a single position in management since. The manager has won just ten games, lost 11, and drawn the remaining seven.

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However, the former Old Trafford captain has now revealed that when he took the Valencia job, then-England technical director Dan Ashworth, who is set to become United’s next director of football, called him to explain that it was a perfect stepping stone to take the job of England manager, one of the biggest roles in England, should Roy Hodgson step down.

Neville explained on his latest episode of the Stick to Football podcast: “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.

“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.”

Neville, of course, never got the job, even though Hodgson stepped down the following summer after a horrid loss against Iceland during EURO 2016.

Gareth Southgate then took the job on an interim basis before being offered the position permanently but may step down this coming summer.

It is unlikely that Neville, who used to be part of Roy Hodgson’s coaching staff with England, will get a call from the FA this time around.