PHIL NEVILLE JOINED former teammate Kevin Kilbane and Joe Molloy for a very enjoyable interview this evening which touched on his decision to leave Old Trafford, his time at Everton and his role in the media now.
But his obvious affection for another former colleague was the highlight.
“He was the greatest captain I ever played for,” Neville said when asked about his time with Roy Keane.
“I think he was the person I learned most from in my career in terms of standards that you’ve got to keep, in terms of leading from the front, never giving up, never letting your teammates down, standing up for your teammates when they’re in trouble.
“I learned so much from him and I had a great relationship with him when I was at Manchester United. He was a large part of that young group coming through. He helped us so much, he sat with us, talked to us, joked with us.
“You talk about Alex Ferguson not giving me a telling off; you got a telling off of Roy if you dropped your standards.
“And I didn’t really appreciate it until I went to Everton and then you remember certain things that he used to demand from you and I’d start to demand it from my teammates at Everton and thought ‘dear me’. You had this thing in your mind: ‘what would Roy say now? What would Roy say now?’
“If someone came with a cap on his head or not the right trainers on – Roy Keane would hammer you for that. So I learned so much from him.
“And as a player, I don’t think people realise how good a player he was. People say he was tough, he was aggressive. He was a brilliant passer of the ball. He was as brave as a lion in terms of getting on the ball. He used always say to me – I was at left back or right back — if you’re ever in trouble, I’ve got men around me, just give me the ball and I’ll get you out of trouble. You would trust him with your life.
“I don’t think I’ve seen anyone close to that level of leadership that Roy gave that United team over five or six-year period.”
Listen to the full Off The Ball interview here>
Saw him once live in a Manchester Darby,and he was outstanding. He controlled the play,both on and off the ball that day,but when I watched it later on tv,you didn’t see the amount of work he did,or the influence he had on the game.
I’m not utd fan but I will say that in his prime there wasn’t a better midfielder/enforcer than keane.but I will never forgive him for walking out on his country in the middle of the world cup.i understand that he had issues with mc carthy and the fai but deal with that when tournament is over.you don’t walk out on your teammates in the middle of the biggest tournament in the world.especially when you are lucky enough to be one of the best players in the world and are privileged to represent your country on the world stage.
@Ciaran Hickey: he was sent home from the World Cup!!
@Philip McLoughlin: Spot on. A lot of people seem to forget that.
He was sent home from the World Cup. But that’s a bit like saying you were sacked from your job for punching your boss. He engineered the whole thing.
@Ciaran Hickey: Let it go brother. Roy will never care if you don’t forgive him. Only you will suffer there.
@Philip McLoughlin: why
Whatever happened to the strong silent type like Paul McGrath.
@The Pig: most of them are frustrated alcoholics
In the modern game, he’s a 70-80 million pound player. Never let his standards drop and demanded the same from everyone else. Didn’t matter if it was against Juventus or Wycombe, Keane demanded everyone’s best. A player they desperately need now.
Thug. Vastly overrated. Bottled the world cup just like the battles with viera. Mouthpiece.
@The Pig:
You should come down to Cork and say that out load friend.
@The Pig: absolutely talking through your hole!!!
@The Pig: very harsh on Phil
@The Pig: Please stop proving that you know nothing about football.
@The Pig: very unfair comment,on one of Ireland’s best.
@billy Dorney: sorry NO MATTER WHAT do you walk out on your own. Saipan was all HIS fault. All the players would of played in pink thongs at a world cup. Who is he to whinge. And then leave.
@The Pig: agree,Saipan was awful,but can’t blame him solely
Great player. Really underrated imo. Superb passer of the ball which a lot of people forget. But the weekly worship of the man is embarrassing. He has some interesting things to say about the game but can be daft and hypocritical. Won’t be far off the spectrum from Robbie savage in the punditry game tbh.
Phil was a very underrated player,suffered a bit because of his versatility but never let United down.When he joined Everton he quickly won the fans respect through his determination and ability and the fact he was made captain so soon showed this.A great family man who is inspirational with the job he had done with his daughter.Needs to steady it a bit with the punditry though.