It seems that Gary Neville’s burgeoning media career, not to mention his numerous business investments and growing influence as a political commentator may have finally caught up with him as he hands the reigns of Salford City FC over to co-owner Nicky Butt.
Neville will remain on the club’s board, along with fellow co-owners Ryan Giggs, Phil Neville, Paul Scholes, Butt, David Beckham and Singaporean businessman Peter Lim, but will step away from the day-to-day running of the club.
Neville has been a very busy man in recent times, regularly appearing as a pundit and commentator on Sky Sports and ITV, where he has established himself as one of the most respected pundits in the land, even among traditionally Manchester United-averse viewers, thanks to his honesty and willingness to state unpopular truths to power.
Last year he launched his own YouTube channel, The Overlap, while he is also involved in numerous property and hospitality investments, including Hotel Football and Stck Hotel, through his leading roles as a Relentless Group and GG Hospitality owner/director.
More recently, Neville has also been touted as a future MP or Manchester Mayor thanks to his growing interest in, and commentary on, the UK political situation and his community work with UA92.
Neville said: “As the club has developed with such pace it needs someone who can concentrate on the club and be there every day, and Nicky is the ideal candidate to do this.
“I have enjoyed my eight years and can’t believe how much we have achieved in that time, and how proud I am of the hard work everyone at the club has put in to make a dream we had whilst on a train, turn into a reality. I will now be able to sit back and enjoy the game on match days safe in the knowledge that it is in good hands.”
Butt added: “I am delighted and welcome this opportunity, this pressure, this responsibility. The club, staff, team and fans are everything and what makes this club special, and why we fell in love with the club all those years ago.
“I accept the responsibility that brings, the responsibility of the long term vision whilst concentrating on the short term goals and what is needed now and will work hard to take the club to where we believe it can be.”
Salford City currently sit in eighth position in League 2, missing out on a top six place purely by virtue of goal difference.
