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Former Manchester United captain Gary Neville believes that the BBC placed his brother, Phil, ‘into the lions’ den’ during his punditry career before he retired from broadcasting.
After retiring in 2011, Gary ventured into punditry, beginning his journey on the now-renowned Monday Night Football program on Sky Sports, where he conducted a rather uncomfortable interview with then-Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini.
Recognized today as one of the sport’s top pundits, Gary frequently works for Sky as a studio analyst and co-commentator for major Premier League matches.
The former United and Everton player was enlisted to provide co-commentary on England’s opening match against Italy on BBC One, but received over 400 viewer complaints for his ‘monotone’ commentary style.
The Neville brothers’ former international team-mate, Michael Owen, also faced early criticism for his commentary skills during his media career, particularly at TNT Sports (previously BT Sport). Gary has shared his thoughts on how both Owen and his brother were treated by their broadcasters.
Gary Neville has hit out at the BBC for their treatment of brother, Phil, during his media career
Phil Neville’s first foray into broadcasting was at the 2014 World Cup where he was criticised
Speaking on Stick To Football, produced by ARNE, he remarked: ‘I thought it was scandalous the way he [Owen] was treated in his early media career, the way people commented on it. Co-commentary is the hardest task to undertake.’
‘This happened with my brother. Where they put him in his first game, the BBC put him in his first game in the World Cup, England versus Italy with 20 million people watching.’
Commentary is something that Gary Neville has continued to do more frequently with Sky during his 14 years with the company.
These days, Gary is often in the commentary booth more often than he is analysing Premier League teams’ performances in the studio.
However, when he first joined Sky, the former United full-back was afforded time by the company as he struggled to get to grips with the role. This is something he doesn’t believe his brother, Phil, was given.
Gary continued: ‘Sky, with me, when I first joined… it’s still the worst thing I do now, co-commentary, it’s the toughest thing I do. They put me on eight games, 10 games, that were like, Fulham against Blackburn. I remember doing that game on a Sunday.
‘Not a lot of people are watching but it beds you in, it eases you in. Villa against [Manchester] City, which wasn’t a big game back then. I did loads of games on MUTV.
‘They [Sky] put me on a big game in March, it took them eight, nine months of trialling me and testing me and feeding back to me and being harsh on me by the way.
Neville, 48, has not worked in media since 2018 and is now Portland Timbers head coach
‘I remember once in January saying, “This is not for me”, to the producer. He said, “Stick at it, but you need to be more conversational, more yourself”.
‘I had loads of advice. To give Michael Owen Premier League games on TNT first up, and to give Phil that World Cup… honestly, you are throwing a lamb into the lions’ den.’
Phil has not worked in media since 2018, when he became Lionesses head coach, where he stayed for three years.
He has gone on to manage David Beckham’s Inter Miami, and is now head coach at MLS side Portland Timbers.
