- Gary Neville has responded to Des Lynam's incredible claim
- Lynam suggested Neville should become Man United's new manager
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Gary Neville has responded to Des Lynam's sensational claim that he should become Manchester United's new manager.
Former Match of the Day presenter Lynam suggested Neville is the ideal candidate for the job given his passion for United, personality and business sense.
However, Lynam's claim was widely mocked, especially given that Neville's only previous experience as a manager was his disastrous spell in charge of Valencia in the 2015-16 season.
United have failed to win 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 and Ruben Amorim was replaced.
Lynam, however, does not believe Amorim is the answer to United's problems and believes former Red Devils defender Neville should be appointed instead.
Gary Neville responds to Des Lynam's claim that he should be Man United's next manager
Former Match of the Day presenter Lynam made the claim about Neville this week.
Lynam believes Neville would be better equipped for the United job than Ruben Amorim
Lynam wrote in The telegraph: 'Neville would still be the best man for the job.
“He has Manchester United blood running through his veins. He is deeply hurt by the current situation at the club.
“He has a powerful personality and would have a strong presence in the locker room. Oh, and money men better watch out, Neville is a shrewd businessman.
“My petition to him was over three years ago, but with the scowling men temporarily installed in the United dugout, Neville is still the best candidate, in my opinion.”
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.
Speaking on his podcast at sky sportsNeville said: 'I love Des Lynam. I met Des Lynam in 2002. My first job as an expert 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 a wonderful time, it was the moment when I recognized that I wanted to dedicate myself to the expert profession because of the people around me.
'Fellow experts on that panel were Bobby Robson, Terry Venables and Paul Gascoigne. I don't belong on that panel at all from the point of view of football and coaching greatness.
“What I was able to give them was the current understanding of what was happening in that locker room.”
Neville does not want to return to training after his disastrous time as coach of Valencia
However, Neville stressed that Lynam is wrong to claim he should be United's next boss.
He said: 'Des Lynam was the dean, the god of hosts and presenters in that era. Someone with an incredible voice, great delivery, great humor. “I always got on well with Des, but if you could stop putting me forward as Manchester United manager it would be a great help.”
Neville outlined two main reasons why he should not manage United: firstly, that he does not want to coach again and, secondly, that he does not feel like the best man for the job.
He said: “I understand where you're coming from, I understand the club, I love the club, I think I can communicate well.”
“However, I don't want to go back to being the number one, number two coach. I don't think I'm by any means the best man for the job.”
Neville also commented on how his Sky Sports colleague Jamie Carragher mocked him regarding Lynam's claims. Carragher responded to the article about X with a series of laughing emojis.
He said: “It gives my friends and colleagues, particularly Mr James Carragher, the chance to have a bit of a laugh on a Thursday afternoon when they see the headline.” I love Des to bits, but I'm pretty sure he's not right about that. I feel bad telling him he's wrong because he's someone with such vast experience.'
