‘Bullsh*t’: Nev blasts Hodgson ‘friction’ claim

Matt Stead

Gary Neville has responded to claims of ‘friction’ with Roy Hodgson, branding them as ‘bullsh*t’ and demanding an apology.

On Sunday morning, The Observer ran an exclusive story claiming that England’s failed Euro 2016 campaign had been ‘undermined’ by ‘friction’ between Hodgson and Neville.

Daniel Taylor wrote while England players had no issues, there were problems behind the scenes with Hodgson and members of his coaching staff.

The story includes claims that ‘there was a clear divide about the team’s methods’ between certain members of staff, and that Hodgson’s tactics had been ‘openly questioned’. Taylor adds:

‘While the players were generally supportive of Hodgson and angered by reports that they questioned Raheem Sterling’s selection in the Iceland game, the fact they took it upon themselves to remove Harry Kane from corner-taking duties indicates they were not always happy with the manager’s tactics.

‘Hodgson’s training methods – questioned by Steven Gerrard after the last World Cup – were one source of the disagreements. Neville had a close ally in Dave Watson, the goalkeeping coach. Players have complained of mixed messages and the general sense of confusion is not eased by the revelation that one turned to the dugout during the Iceland defeat and asked where a team-mate was supposed to be playing.’

Taylor’s claim that there were ‘particular signs of tension between Hodgson and Neville’ has infuriated the latter. The former assistant manager posted the following message on Twitter in response: