Phil Neville rejects chance to become Aston Villa coach as he wants to focus on becoming a manager
PHIL NEVILLE has turned down an approach from Aston Villa to join their new backroom staff – as he is focused on becoming a manager.
The former Manchester United and Everton defender, 39, was wanted by the Championship outfit as a potential assistant for the new manager, widely believed to be Steve Bruce.
He has coached at United and was Valencia assistant manager last term – and the Ex-England international Neville is admired by Villa’s chief executive Keith Wyness and technical director Steve Round, who both previously worked at Everton.
According to the , Neville has had talks over a possible position at the Championship strugglers, who fired Roberto Di Matteo earlier this month after a poor start to the season.
But Neville is keen to become a boss in his own right and has declined the opportunity to make his return to English football at Villa Park.
Last May, Neville said: “In terms of my next step, unless it’s something really special, I think I’d like to go on my own and do my own thing.
“I went out to Valencia to create my own pathway and to keep my individual learning going, and that’s where I see it really.
“Rather than going back in as an assistant or a first-team coach, even though there may be opportunities to do that, in my ideal world I’d like to be on my own and continue my development on my own.”
Villa are keep to appoint a new manager before this Saturday’s home match against near-neighbours Wolves – with Bruce still the favourite for the post.
But club officials did interview Steve Clarke at their training ground on Monday, who came in with Di Matteo and has impressed staff and players with his attitude and work ethic.
Former Hull City manager Bruce, who also was in charge of Villa’s bitter rivals Birmingham City, has spoken extensively with Keith Wyness and will be formally interviewed this week.
Before appointing Di Matteo, Villa also considered Neville’s former teammate Ryan Giggs, who last week was overlooked for American Bob Bradley by Premier League side Swansea City – and he too could be in the running, saying he would be happy to manage in the Football League.