Neville offers insight into World Cup snub ‘torture’

Ian Watson

Phil Neville’s World Cup dreams twice came to an end in Debenhams, yet it was the “torture” of having hopes extinguished away from home comforts and family that hurt most.

Twenty years on from being overlooked by Glenn Hoddle, the England Women’s manager is confident that former team-mate Gareth Southgate will handle the difficult cuts as well as he handled everything else so far.

Neville was at Wembley for Tuesday’s 1-1 draw with Italy – the last chance for players to press home their case in an England shirt before May’s World Cup squad announcement.

“I missed out on three World Cups,” the England Women’s boss said.

“The first one in 98 I was in La Manga, the next two I was stood in Debenhams both times and I got a call off Sven-Goran Eriksson to tell me I hadn’t made the World Cup squads, so I missed out on three.

“The France 98 was the worst one. But I’ve never been back to Debenhams!

“(France) 1998 was the worst because that was my World Cup, I was in my peak, I wanted to be the starting XI never mind the 23.”

While Neville can joke about missing out in 2002 and 2006 – “it was actually a good excuse to go home and get out of the Trafford Centre” – the hurt of 1998 lingers.

“It’s 100 per cent easier if you are told when you’re at home,” the former Manchester United and Everton player said.

“I flew home from La Manga with six other players having been told they were left out of the squad, picked up at Birmingham airport by my wife and my father, drove home and it felt like it was torture.

“That was torture. That’s what it felt like.

“The other managers learnt from that and Gareth was part of a lot of England squads, so he’s got first-hand experience of how to do it.”

The disappointment will shape Neville’s approach to naming his squad for the Women’s World Cup next year and Southgate has already given thought to softening the blow this summer.

The Three Lions manager already has a “pretty clear” idea of how he will fill up to 20 places in the 23-strong travelling party and has proven in his tenure to date that he is not afraid to make bold decisions.

“I think he’s handled every situation unbelievably so far and I think he’ll do no different,” said Neville, who is preparing for his first competitive match as England Women’s boss against Wales in a World Cup qualifier at St Mary’s next Friday.

“He was like that as a player, I think he was brave as a player.

“I’ve managed to be lucky enough to work closely with him and seen him work over the last eight weeks and he’s an impressive man, he’s an impressive manager.

“You know, you look at it from afar – and I am not involved in the senior (team) – everyone looks happy.

“Everyone looks buzzing, everyone looks happy, they look smiley, there looks like there’s a good team spirit and that’s testament to the work he’s doing.”