Man Utd legend Roy Keane probes Gary Neville over Salford managerial changes
Roy Keane has sternly probed Gary Neville on his involvement in Salford City's revolving door of managers.
The Ammies, who are currently languishing two places above the League Two relegation zone after making the play-offs last season, recently sacked former Manchester United youth coach Neil Wood and brought in Karl Robinson. In seeing his 18-month spell at Salford come to an end, Wood became their fifth managerial casualty in five-and-a-half years.
Neville, who co-owns the club alongside his United Class of '92 team-mates and Singaporean business magnate Peter Lim, has been accused of hypocrisy whenever they've sacked managers, often urging clubs to stick with their gaffers during his role as a pundit for Sky Sports. Another former Red Devils team-mate, Roy Keane, has now quizzed Neville on his influence when hiring and firing bosses.
"Who brought the managers in at Salford?" Keane asked during a debate on the Stick to Football podcast which touched on how much power managers are given. "The managers were me, Karen (Baird, who left in May after 10 years as chairman] and Chris (Casper, sporting director)," Neville firmly replied.
Keane responded by asking: "So, if you're on about managers getting players right or wrong, have you brought managers in and (in future) thought, 'What was I thinking?'"
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After a pause, Neville explained: "When I look at managers that we've brought in, I think that while some of them may not've been successful... Richie (Wellens) obviously we sacked but he went on to win a league (with Leyton Orient last season)."
As Neville was about to discuss ex-boss Graham Alexander, Keane interrupted and said: "It doesn't matter if they win a league somewhere else. That's no good to you, is it?" Neville argued: "Yeah but my point is sometimes a manager doesn't work at a club, that can happen."
The debate then returned to its original focus: who should have the veto on new signings at a club? It's not the first time that Neville has faced questions regarding Salford's chopping and changing, nor his involvement with much-maligned Valencia owner Lim - despite him frequently criticising United's owners, the Glazer family, for much of the same absent behaviour and fan disregard.
Your turn! Is Gary Neville being hypocritical? Let us know your verdict in the comments section.
Gary Neville has co-owned Salford City since 2014, helping guide them up the divisions (Getty Images)Writing in May 2021, Libertad VCF International - a Valencia supporters group who are against Lim's ownership - posted directly to former manager Neville: "Gary, we can forget the past. We all know that the Glazers and Lim are the same, they attack the spirit football and the fans, help us get rid of him too. #GlazersOut #LimOut."
Neville responded in an interview with Marca: "Peter came in and put an incredible amount of money into the club to save it at a very difficult time and take over the club. I know Peter Lim well, he is a fantastic man. He has been my mentor and has believed in me and the rest of the class of '92.
"Peter wants Valencia to be successful and so do I. Peter wants Valencia to be successful and I know that is not happening at the moment. The fans probably won't listen to me because they know I'm a big fan of Peter, but I hope Peter can get Valencia back to where they should be."
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