Gary Neville has responded to Des Lynam's sensational claim that he should become the new manager of Manchester United.
Former matchday presenter Lynam suggested Neville is the ideal candidate for the job given his passion for United, his personality and his business sense.
However, Lynam's claim was much derided, especially considering Neville's only previous experience as a manager was his disastrous spell in charge of Valencia in the 2015–16 season.
United have not won the Premier League title since the retirement of the legendary Sir Alex Ferguson in 2013 and their struggles have continued this campaign.
Erik Ten Hag was fired in October, with Ruben Amorim brought in to replace him.
However, Lynam does not believe Amorim is the answer to United's problems and believes former Red Devil defender Neville should be appointed instead.
Lynam wrote in the Telegraph: 'Neville would still be the best man for the job.
'He has the blood of Manchester United in his veins. He is deeply hurt by the club's current predicament.
'He has a powerful personality and would be a strong presence in the dressing room. Oh and the money men better watch out, Neville is an astute businessman.
“My case for him was over three years ago, but while the furrowed men took up temporary residence in the United Dugout, Neville has remained in my mind the best candidate.”
Neville responded to Lynam's claim and expressed his deep respect for the broadcaster who worked with him for ITV during the 2002 World Cup in South Korea and Japan.
Neville said on his podcast on Sky Sports: 'I love Des Lynam. I met Des Lynam in 2002. My very first punditry performance was 22 years ago. I broke my foot before the World Cup in Japan and South Korea and ITV asked me to be an expert. I had the most incredible time, it was the moment I recognized that I wanted to go to punditry because of the people I was surrounded by.
'The fellow experts on that panel were Bobby Robson, Terry Venables and Paul Gascoigne. I don't belong on that panel at all from a football greatness and coaching standpoint.
“What I could give them was the current understanding of what happened in that locker room.”
However, Neville stressed that Lynam is incorrect in his claim that he should be the next unified boss.
He said: 'Des Lynam was the doyen, the god of hosts and presenters at that time. Someone with an incredible voice, great delivery, great humor. I've always got on with Des but if you could stop putting me forward as manager of Manchester United it would be very helpful. '
Neville outlined two main reasons why he should not manage United – firstly that he does not want to return to coaching and secondly that he does not feel he is the best man for the job.
He said: 'I understand where you are coming from, I understand the club, I really love the club, I really believe I can communicate well.
“I don't want to go back to coaching number one though, number two I don't believe I'm the best man for the job by a long shot.”
Neville also commented on how he was mocked by his Sky Sports colleague Jamie Carragher over Lynam's claims. Carragher responded to the article on X with a series of laughing emojis.
He said: 'It gives my friends and colleagues, especially Mr James Carragher, the opportunity to giggle quite a bit on a Thursday afternoon when he sees the headline. I like des to bits, but I'm pretty sure he's not right about that. I feel bad telling him that he is not right because he is someone with such vast experience. '
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