After making 602 appearances for Manchester United, winning eight Premier League titles, three FA Cups and one European Cup, as well as playing 85 times for England, Gary Neville has tonight announced his immediate retirement from football. Talking of a player synonymous with Manchester United's most successful era, the manager Sir Alex Ferguson said tonight that the 35-year-old was "the best English right-back of his generation". The player himself, whose passion for his only club was celebrated by United fans and made him a target for rivals, said: "Obviously I am disappointed that my playing days are at an end, however it comes to us all and it's knowing when that time is and for me that time is now."
Although he had been expected to follow the lead of Edwin van der Sar and retire at the end of the season, the timing of the announcement led to immediate speculation that he would join Sky's roster of pundits in the wake of the sacking of Andy Gray. Although it is understood that the broadcaster is not planning to announce a replacement for the Scot immediately, instead continuing with a rotating cast of presenters and pundits, Neville is likely to appear in some capacity before the end of the season.
He is expected to combine a broadcasting career with his business interests and an ongoing role at Manchester United, whether in a coaching or ambassadorial capacity. Last weekend, Ferguson promised the player a job for life at Old Trafford. "Gary will have a place at Manchester United for ever, there's no question about that," he said. "Obviously there is a bit of speculation about who replaces Andy Gray and Richard Keys but it is not my agenda. Of course, we want him to stay here when he finishes playing but we'll see. I don't know what he'd be like as a pundit. I don't know, he's not got the experience."
The club has a tradition of maintaining links with its iconic names, from Sir Bobby Charlton to Bryan Robson and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who recently left his position as reserve team coach to take over as manager of Molde in his native Norway. Neville said tonight: "I have been a Manchester United fan all my life and fulfilled every dream I've ever had. I have played in the most incredible football teams, playing with some of the best players in the world, as well as against them, and I have been lucky to be a part of the team's achievements and the club's great success.
"There have also been so many great players that I have had the privilege to train and play alongside. The experiences we've shared will be with me for the rest of my life. I am looking forward to new experiences and the club will always be a part of my life, however the most important thing now is for the club to continue with the success that is synonymous with Manchester United and I will be supporting them all the way, as a fan." Ferguson and others tonight paid tribute to his leadership qualities and fierce competitive spirit. "The best right-back in Premier League history, fact," Rio Ferdinand wrote on Twitter. "Gonna be a big loss to our dressing room."
Neville inherited the captain's armband from Roy Keane in November 2005, but within 18 months suffered a broken ankle against Bolton. Although he eventually returned to the United side and repeatedly battled back from a series of muscular complaints, he lost his once automatic place to Wes Brown, John O'Shea and current incumbent Rafael. His last appearance was in the victory at West Bromwich Albion on New Year's Day.
