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In an interview with World Soccer Talk this week, Manchester United legend Gary Neville avoided giving his opinion about the lack of promotion and relegation in the USA.
Instead, he said it would not be right for him to say that MLS should be an open league because he is not as close to U.S. soccer as he should be.
The defender-turned-pundit played his entire career with the Red Devils. After retiring from the pitch, Neville has resisted taking a media or coaching job in America.
This is, however, unlike his brother and fellow ex-United star Phil Neville. The younger brother is currently managing MLS side Portland Timbers after leaving Inter Miami in 2023.
“As passionate as I am about people not interfering in the British game when it comes to promotion and relegation, I think I need to be as respectful of my knowledge and understanding of the culture in different countries around what they believe is right for promotion and relegation,” proclaimed Neville.
Neville-owned club has risen through the English ranks
Nevertheless, Neville referenced just how important promotion and relegation is in England. The former player previously became a co-owner of Salford City in 2014.
Under new ownership, the Manchester club has made its way from the NPL Division One North to League Two. The team’s ascension through the lower tiers of English soccer is because of promotion and relegation.
“It’s an absolute integral part of the English football pyramid,” Neville said of the open system. “We have to have that jeopardy, that feeling that anyone can be promoted, win the league and be relegated. But I know that’s not the way in which the game’s designed and other sports in America are designed and in the U.S.”
“So I don’t think it would be right for me to say that the league should adopt promotion and relegation because that’s something I strongly believe in our country but I wouldn’t say that I’m an expert on…
Source link : https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/gary-neville-dodges-question-about-pro-rel-in-the-usa/
Author : Chris Moore
Publish date : 2024-09-21 15:31:12
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