What Caused Phil Neville to Call Brother Gary an Idiot?
I've got a bit of a series going here with regards to brothers who've played against each other. I've spoken about the Boateng brothers and how Jerome represented Germany; brother Kevin-Prince opting to represent Ghana instead.
Yesterday I then posted about the Alcantara brothers , with Thiago choosing to represent Spain and his brother, pledging his allegiance to Brazil.
Today I will be talking about Gary and Phil Neville. The brothers both represented Manchester United but what led to Phil splitting up and joining rivals Everton?
Gary and Phil Neville both joined Manchester United as apprentices upon leaving school in 1991. They joined Alex Ferguson's famed "Class of 92" which included Ryan Giggs, David Beckham, Paul Scholes and Nicky Butt. Initially Phil was seen as the more technically gifted of the pair growing up, but it was Gary who would earn his first call up for the senior team in 1992.
In 1994 he would become United's first choice right-back and it wasn't until he was injured that brother Phil made his debut in 1995. Phil would play mostly at right-back while his brother Gary would eventually shift into the centre-back position and at times, benched in favour of Phil. The brothers were part of one of the greatest dynasties in world football. Together they won six English Premier League titles, three FA Cups and a Champions League title.
The pair were on top of the world and all playing for the best team. After 11 seasons with Manchester United, Phil Neville would make the shock decision to transfer away from United for rivals Everton after featuring in 263 league games for the club.
Both Gary and Phil were part of the famed "Class of 92" at Manchester United before Phil Neville joined Everton for more game time.
Source: Photo by Steve Collis shared under Creative Commons (CC) license.
Phil had grown frustrated at the lack of playing opportunity, further fuelled by him playing well when filling in for those infront of him in the pecking order, only to be replaced as soon as they were fit again. Phil revealed that it was his brother Gary who brokered a meeting in Alex Ferguson's living room, making a meeting happen straight after a phone call.
The three agreed that Phil would move on from Manchester to progress his career. Phil was interested in signing for an Italian or Spanish club but Ferguson had convinced him to stay in England where he could keep his family unit together.
Phil then completed his move to Everton for the start of the 2005/06 season where he'd play 242 league games before retiring in 2013. The Neville brothers would play multiple times against each other, their first meeting resulting in Gary and United beating Phil and Everton 2-0. The fixture was a game that divided their family as their father was a lifelong United fan. Their mum just wanted them both to get along and their sister, a twin with Phil, would support Everton.
Phil and Gary would become the first ever brothers to captain their respective teams in the Premier League at an Old Trafford match-up in November 2006. It was what took place before the game however which led Phil to call his brother Gary an "idiot".
Phil had greeted his old teammates in the players tunnel and by the time he got to the front of the line where both teams were waiting, Gary didn't say hello. Phil claims his brother was just playing up for the cameras, for show, knowing that there were cameras right infront of them. As soon as they walked past the cameras, Phil claims that Gary said "all right Phil, how's it going?"
Phil said that Gary was "...an absolute idiot. For the cameras, for Sky Sports and his image, he thought "I'm not saying hello to him".
Gary was ice cold though. He famously snubbed old teammate and Danish legend Peter Schmeichel in 2002 after he joined Manchester City. Schmeichel put his hand out but was ignored by Gary. Phil has also stated that Gary is the most unemotional person who doesn't hug or high fives. On Phil's last day at Manchester, Gary was the only player that didn't say goodbye to Phil.
After his career Phil retired and became a TV pundit for BBC. He coached the England Women's national team in 2018 and left for Inter Miami in 2021 to become their manager. Fellow "Class of 92" alumni David Beckham the president and part owner in the franchise.
Gary Neville became a match analyst after his playing career and is also considered one of the best football pundits in Britain. Both Gary and Phil worked together as pundits for Sky Sports in 2016 for Premier League coverage.
Earlier this year Gary ventured into politics for the first time joining the Labour Party and remains in England. His brother Phil remains in the United States. Again, the pair are on different paths but I'm sure like in the past that they'll reunite again.
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Wolfgang Sport started in 2017 as a way to connect my passion for American and British sports. Today it's evolved into a blockchain sports blog pushing the boundaries into the crypto world and embracing Web3 technologies.
How dare he attempt to shake Gary 🤣🤣😂🤣🤣😂. Gary takes rivalry seriously but I don't support the part he ignored his brother all because of the camera. That guy is something else 😂😂🤣😂😂
Now I see that Gary's loud mouth and seeming arrogance didn't just start today. 😂
He took that to the studio, reason a lot of people do not always agree with his opinions. Though they say people won't agree with you cos you say the truth, I don't think it's the same for Gary 😂
Phil on the flip side looks like a calm guy. Perhaps, United were the first to have two separate siblings play for them, the Silva (Rafael and Fabio) brothers.
Bit cold but you know I respect the fact that players have to get into the zone ahead of a big match.
Interestingly both Neville brothers were very good cricketers and would likely have had at least a county career with Lancashire if not international recognition too. Financially they definitely made the right choice
Hahahaha Gary and his attitude. He doesn't joke with rivalries and he lives for the hype I guess. He likes the tensed stories. I admire his crossing abilities sometimes and Evra said it that he was absolutely underrated. He doesn't look skillful or gifted if you look at him. I think his mental strength helped him.
I must agree with you though. Very tough player in terms of mindset, even though not in the skillful or fancy class.
Absolutely...he wasn't fancy or skillful.
This is surprising to read. Why would football make brothers beef? Those snobbish actions by Gary Neville were uncalled for and so unprofessional.
Unprofessional? 😂
I don't think there's anywhere in the books where professionalism is defined in that terms. Or is it a rule that you must be nice to your brother playing for an opposing team? I believe the rivalry doesn't go beyond the pitch, every man facing his business. Afterwards, we can remember we're family. Same for players from the same country.
Well, I've watched football for a while now and I know that shaking hands with opponents is part of the game. It shows the spirit of sportsmanship.
Lol... It wasn't said that they never shook hands.
Moreso, in the fiercest of rivalries, like the Patrick Viera - Roy Keane cases, they were almost sworn enemies. Did that make them less professional?
All I'm saying is, no rules in the game says brothers cannot be fierce rivals on the pitch. Key phrase being "on the pitch".
Dammmm!! Stone cold. Thats pretty funny - I cant help think they were all in on it for the cameras though.
Yeah.. I believe it's all for the cameras. In that zone, there are no friends or families... Business before pleasure. 😂
Phil and Gary would become the first ever brothers to captain their respective teams in the Premier League at an Old Trafford match-up in November 2006 — this is a nice fun fact you really dug out about the premier league. Nice write up! Can’t wait to see the next brothers on the scrutiny list .
Gary was always a bit of an idiot and like an angsty teenager the way he would go on. I am glad to see he has turned into a good pundit though, and I respect his opinions. The real question around the Neville family though is a question for the lads Granny and Grandad on their Father's side and it is this....
"Why oh why did you christen your son Neville Neville!?" 😂😂
BRO LOL!! Neville Neville .. I thought that to myself as well how the heck does that even make sense. Why would you do that?!?! 😱
Absolutely bizzare...