I left school at 16 and became a Man Utd treble winner – but I never spoke to my friends again… it was terrible

GARY NEVILLE has revealed that he never spoke to his friends again once he left school.

The Manchester United legend left school at 16 to pursue a football career.

Neville, 48, was desperate to make it as a footballer and "put everything" he had into doing so.

The Englishman went on to have a trophy-filled career with Manchester United.

Neville won 21 trophies, including eight Premier League titles.

However, he has claimed that it is "terrible" looking back as he admitted that he "had to get away".

Neville was speaking on the Stick to Football podcast, brought to you by : "When I left school at 16, I never spoke to my friends from school ever again.

"I look back at it now and it was terrible.

"I just thought that if I don’t put everything into football, then I’d regret it.

"I knew my school friends would be going out and having a good time, but I had to get out of this.

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"My leaving do at school was at a pub surrounded by people drinking and doing all sorts and I had to get away.  

“It was one of those things that I needed 100 per cent focus.

"I never went out or anything for four years and Phil Neville was the same."

After hanging up his boots, Neville had a short spell in management with LaLiga outfit Valencia.

He now works as a pundit for Sky Sports and is also a successful businessman and part owner of Salford, along withis Class of 92 pals.

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