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Neville calls England stint ‘waste of time’

Comment: 0 August 22nd, 2011 by: admin

GARY Neville was in a fighting mood. He sounded bitter and discontented. The target of his vehemence was no less than England.

The recently-retired Manchester United and Three Lions defender reflected on his international career and described his playing days for his country as a “waste of time.’’

Neville, who was capped 85 times and played in two World Cups and three European Championships, also painted a bleak future for England, saying they have no chance of winning the Euro 2012.

Pouring out his sentiments in his autobiography titled “Red’’ which was serialised in the Mail last Sunday, Neville predicted England will not win a major trophy in the next 10 years.

The right-back saw action for the England side who made it to the Euro ’96 semifinals and claimed the country would be hard-pressed to better that achievement because the “culture of English football breeds technically inferior players.’’

Among the reasons, according to him, why many England players suffer distressing experience and fear failure is the abuse they receive from fans and pundits who expect a lot when they compete in tournaments.

And while saying being a former national team player was one of the best moments of his life, he could not erase the fact that many players spent time fearing the consequence of failure when they don the Three Lions uniform.

He cited his best friend David Beckham and his brother Phil, who were both “butchered’’ after the 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000, respectively.

Aside from calling it a “massive waste of time,’’ Neville also depicted his moment as a Three Lions player as “one long roller-coaster ride.’’ He said there were ups and downs and there were times when he was not sure if he enjoyed the ride.

He added his stay at United where he saw action in 400 matches meant more to him, stating that given a choice of winning a European Cup with the Red Devils or a European Championship with England, it will be United all the time.

Neville, who is now working as a media pundit, also said he feels sorry for players who are now making their international career with England because they are “caught between the massive expectations and reality of being good but probably not of tournament winning quality.’’

To get better, Neville said the Three Lions have a lot of catching up to do.

England’s next outings in the Euro 2012 qualifiers will be against hosts Bulgaria on September 2 and against Wales at Wembley on September 6.

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