England manager's job a 'possibility' for Gary Neville after Euro 2016, says Phil Thompson
Friday 4 December 2015 08:21, UK
Phil Thompson says the England manager's job is a "real possibility" for Gary Neville after Euro 2016.
Neville was named Valencia manager until the end of the season on Wednesday, his first job in management, but he will continue his coaching role with the England national side under Roy Hodgson.
And Soccer Saturday pundit Thompson says that with six months of managerial experience behind him, and knowing the 40-year-old's commitment, England's top job should not be ruled out.
"In six months he will know whether he wants to continue with it. No matter whichever way he goes it will enhance his stock in getting a job in the Premier League.
"I think he wants a top job in the Premier League. That's why he's going abroad, rather than taking on a Championship side or one of the teams lower in the Premier League.
"Either that or he sees the England job as his next move. With Roy's age, if he steps aside then it's absolutely a possibility after this six months.
"Put it this way, everybody is tipping him already, so with six months experience, with his knowledge and commitment of the highest, highest quality, then it's obviously a real possibility."
Valencia are currently ninth in La Liga with just five wins in 13 games this season, having finished fourth last season under Nuno.
Thompson added that while he recognises the new job will bring extreme pressures, he feels Neville is cut out for what lies ahead in La Liga.
"You have to take your hat off to him. There's a lot of pluses for him, with his role at England and how absolutely magnificent he's been for Sky.
"The question is how quickly he can learn, but knowing Gary he'll be speaking Spanish in a week. The other down side is the culture, moving his kids over etc. but you've got to applaud him.
"It's an experience which he needs, for himself as much as the job. It is okay being an assistant and working on television as there's no real sharp end decisions, no results to be judged on.
"He's does the work behind the scenes, now he has to put it into practice. It's not Roy's sessions that are being used, it's now Gary training.
"It's very stressful and you have to call the big shots. Yes you have help but you soon realise it can be quite a lonely thing, with everybody turning to you.
"I found after two weeks of running the team that that I was now the decision maker, everyone wants you to make decisions.
"That's when you find out, and he'll know whether he likes it, and 95 per cent of me says he is cut out for it."
