Sir Alex Ferguson adopted a 'father' figure role for Phil Neville when he left Man United.
Phil Neville has revealed Sir Alex Ferguson adopted a 'father' figure role for him when the time came to leave Manchester United.The 28-year-old finally called time on his 12-year stay with The Red Devils, after signing as a trainee in 1993, when he joined Everton for £3.5 million last summer.
Neville was invited to Ferguson's home on the eve of United's tour of China and while the versatile England international arrived with nerves jangling he left in buoyant mood.
"I went in there a little bit nervous but I came out feeling top of the world, even though I was leaving the club I'd always played for," explained Neville to The Independent.
"One of the best managers who had ever lived had just chatted to me in his front lounge for an hour and a half about the next stage of my career and what he thought was best for me.
"He didn't seem like a manager. It was more like a father speaking. It was beyond a manager looking after his club, anyway, because he could have kept me for being what I was good at, being a squad player.
"But he realised I needed more than that. From the first day I joined the club my mum and dad had said to him, 'Tell us when it's time to leave'.
"Then the next day we went on tour and it was just a blur for me. For the first time in my career football become secondary.
"I got back on the Saturday, on the Monday I met [Everton manager] David Moyes, on the Wednesday my dad met [Chairman] Bill Kenwright, and I phoned David Moyes at 11:30 that night to say I'd be signing for Everton.
"From the moment the manager [Moyes] came to my house, I didn't want to speak to anyone else. He's similar to Alex Ferguson in that he has an unbelievable work ethic."
Neville is now settled at Goodison Park and the former United ace no longer worries about his old club's results and fixtures as his mind is set on The Toffees.
"I was watching United against Benfica and found that all I was thinking about was Everton's next game. I've been engrossed in this club from the first day," he added.
Neville made his first appearance against United at Old Trafford at the weekend in Everton's draw and he was delighted with the reception he received from both sets of supporters.
"The United fans were great. They gave me a right good reception, although I don't think I've ever given them a reason not to.
"And the Everton fans were great as well. They were the ones who started chanting my name. They've been behind me from the moment I arrived here."
