Gary Neville’s Unbreakable Rule at Sky Sports: No Sacking Calls Allowed
In an exclusive chat with Stick to Football: The Overlap Special, brought to you by Sky Bet, Gary Neville opened up about his strict rule at Sky Sports. For nearly 13 years, Neville has refused to call for a manager to be sacked, no matter how poorly they’ve performed. This unwavering stance has been a hallmark of his punditry career, setting him apart from other commentators.
[Image: Gary Neville has revealed his strict rule at Sky Sports (Image: Getty)]
Neville shared his toughest challenge was when Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was managing Manchester United. People were openly calling for Solskjaer’s head, but Neville and fellow pundit Roy Keane refused to join in. "The idea of going a step further and saying, ‘He should lose his job’, ‘He should be sacked’ – never," Neville emphasized.
He recalled a similar situation with Steve Kean at Blackburn Rovers, where Kean was under immense pressure. "It was getting painful in the end where you’re thinking, ‘Actually, he probably wants to be sacked’, but you never say, ‘Sack him, put him out of his misery’," Neville said.
Neville’s rule was established when he joined Sky Sports nearly 13 years ago. He has consistently stuck to it, earning him praise from fans and respect from his fellow pundits. "It was a rule when I came into Sky, for myself, about 13 years ago – I said I would never ever [call for a manager to be sacked]. I remember the manager at Blackburn – Steve Kean – I’ve never seen a manager have as tough a time, for a longer period – than Steve," Neville reflected.
This stance might seem surprising, given the common practice among pundits to call for manager sackings. However, Neville’s dedication to his rule has earned him a reputation as a fair and balanced commentator. "I’ve never once [called for a manager to be sacked]. That’s what people want but I would never go into that. Some do and feel comfortable with it, but I’ve never said it and I’m quite proud of that," Neville concluded.
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