Along with Tom Cruise, Neville was one of the first people contacted by Beckham as soon he had been told that his international career was almost certainly over. What the
“Obviously he's been my best mate for a long time,” Neville said. “I spoke to him and his initial response, as it has been throughout his career, was to take it on the chin, keep working hard and bounce back. That's how we were brought up at United where you are going to get the odd punch. Don't get me wrong, you take some punches harder than others, but Becks' first thought was to fight like crazy.”
Even Beckham acknowledges now that the fight appears to be in vain. Neville cannot comment on whether he expects to line up alongside his old mate again, but he does know that the
“David Beckham is an incredibly durable person,” Neville said. “There is nothing that can be thrown at him now that he has not suffered before. Huge disappointments happen in football, but it is not the end of the world. It will come to me one day, perhaps when I'm not expecting it.
“I have seen Kevin Keegan resign as
“What shocked me most was Kevin Keegan. That was a bad day. But you move on. A few days later,
Time will catch up with Neville one day, but it should certainly not come before Euro 2008 for this most driven of sportsmen. His pre-match ritual is a simple one. He sits in the dressing-room and makes a silent vow that, while his opponent may be quicker and more skilful (“probably both,” he jokes), no one can outrun him.
“Like playing 500 games for United, it would be a great milestone just as getting anywhere near Bryan Robson's 90 would be unbelievable, because he's my all-time hero,” Neville said. “But that's not what's important. It is winning something in an
It is far too soon to know if McClaren, the head coach, will end the decades of hurt but Neville, a survivor from Euro 96, hails the recruitment of Terry Venables, the assistant coach, as a masterstroke and not only because of the knowledge that the former England manager brings.