Gary Neville details how ‘horror show’ at West Brom helped his decision to retire
Former Manchester United right-back Gary Neville has revealed how his “horror show” at West Brom in 2011 contributed towards his decision to retire.
Neville was 35-years-old when the Baggies outplayed Man United and were unlucky to have lost the match at The Hawthorns 2-1.
James Morrison scored a wondergoal in front of the Smethwick End in that match before Peter Odemwingie missed from the penalty spot as Albion’s New Years Day clash ended in a defeat that was hard to take.
It was especially hard to take because West Brom should have had another penalty when Neville clipped Graham Dorrans’ legs in the penalty area.
After 71 minutes, Neville was substituted off by Sir Alex Ferguson in what ended up being the final match of his great career.
“I planned it as Jamie [Carragher] had. I agreed to come to Sky and was offered a job coaching the youth side of things,’ Neville said on Sky Sports’ The Football Show. “I was thinking of finishing the previous season to when I did retire.
“I had a good few games and maybe conned the hierarchy into thinking there was one more season in me. If I had finished then it would have been perfect but decided to stay on and then I was gone the next January.
“I felt in those last six to eight months I was embarrassed. I didn’t want to be picked. The other lads like Rafael, you saw in training that their energy was unbelievable compared to mine.
“Then you start taking up bad positions to make up for it. That game at West Brom was a horror show for 62 minutes. The same at Stoke and Everton. We finished 3-3 after leading 3-1 and the two goals came down my side.”
Neville’s display against West Brom on New Years Day 2011 was one of the worst away performances by an individual at The Hawthorns in recent memory.
Dorrans turned Neville inside out throughout the match and if Ferguson hadn’t taken off the ex-right-back in the 71st minute, West Brom probably would have won or drawn the match.
In other West Brom news, Kevin Phillips has laughed off the idea of a 27-team Championship.