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Neville would consider Everton job

Phil Neville spent eight years at Everton as a player © PA Photos

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Phil Neville has told Everton chairman Bill Kenwright that he is interested in succeeding David Moyes as manager at Goodison Park.

Neville is considering his options after deciding to end his eight-year playing stint at Goodison Park, and will join the England Under-21 coaching staff for the European Championship finals in Israel in June.

The 36-year-old has been linked with coaching roles at Manchester United, where David Moyes is preparing to take charge this summer after 11 years at Everton, and at Stoke, who parted company with manager Tony Pulis on Tuesday.

"It would be a really good job to get," Neville told the Guardian. "I know there are players who have gone into jobs and failed but I just think I have prepared. I have prepared for the last five seasons and I have got some really nice decisions to make. I am prepared for every eventuality.

"I've not reached the end of my career and thought: 'I know, I'll be a manager'. I have had a lot of experience, studying coaching practices. I've got files on every training session from the last three seasons. I have been away with the [England] Under-21s. I'm half-prepared for what I am going in to."

Neville, who is working towards gaining the UEFA pro licence required to be a Premier League manager, added that he has sought regular advice from Moyes and Everton assistant manager Steve Round.

He said of Moyes: "I pick his brains constantly. We were out recently and I was asking him what it is like when your team goes on a night out. Do you set curfews? You have to learn these things.

"He has been unbelievable in the way he has opened up. He tells you the pitfalls and his strengths. I grill him. He must think sometimes: 'Give me a break'. It's the same with Steve Round. I virtually man-mark him."

Neville believes that Moyes, despite not having won a major trophy, was a stronger candidate for the United job than Jose Mourinho, who has lifted the Champions League title twice.

Mourinho, who is expected to return to Chelsea for a second spell as manager after agreeing a deal to leave Real Madrid on Monday, had been considered a candidate to replace Sir Alex Ferguson at Old Trafford.

But Neville insisted that Moyes was a better long-term bet, saying: "He is the best candidate, 100%. You can put him alongside any coach in the world for that job and he is the best candidate.

"If Jose Mourinho came to Manchester United you would think, with his track record, that in maybe three seasons he would be gone. United are looking at the next 20 years. They've just given David Moyes a six-year contract. It is that kind of club.

"They invest in a certain kind of manager and that is why he is the best man for the job. There is no one else they could have invested in who would offer the same longevity as the previous manager."

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