Neville Hangs Up on His Playing Career.

The Neville Captains.
The Neville Captains.

Former Manchester United, Everton and England international Phil Neville has announced his retirement.

The 36-year-old full-back, who left Everton at the end of last season after an 18-year playing career now, hopes to coach and work in the media having made 505 senior club appearances.

“In my heart, I knew that I wouldn’t be playing again- at any level. I just wanted to drift away,” Neville said.

“I will be going to the World Cup next year with the BBC- I won’t be going as a player- I do enjoy the media side but I want to work, I want to coach, I want to get more hours on the grass.

“I have got two paths- one to go into the media, the other to go into coaching and management. I have got offers from both. I will sit down at the end of the tournament,” Neville added.

Neville made his Premier League debut for Manchester United in 1995 in a 3-0 victory over Manchester City and featured in 19 seasons for the champions. He won six Premier League titles, three FA Cups and one Champions League crown at Old Trafford before moving to Goodison Park in 2005 for £3.5 million.

He is fondly remembered among Red Devils fanatics as the defender who never received a Red Card in his time at the club.

He went on to captain Everton under former manager David Moyes and ended his eight-year spell on Merseyside at the end of the season.

He appeared for the English national team 59 times during his playing days and has been working as a coach under Stuart Pearce with England’s Under-21 team at the ongoing European championship in Israel.

Neville has been linked with many managerial jobs this summer including Everton, Brighton and was considered for a possible return to United under Moyes.

He is currently working on his Uefa A license and revealed a lesson from former United boss, Alex Ferguson, earlier in his career gave him an insight into club management.