The timing is awkward!
Former Manchester United captain Gary Neville has taken on freelance ambassador duties for the club just days after news broke that Sir Alex Ferguson’s full-time contract was coming to an end.
It was revealed last week that Ferguson’s deal was worth two million pound per year, as the club recognised and acknowledged the success that the treble-winning manager had brought to the club.
However, part-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe has imposed several cost-cutting measures since his arrival, including staff redundancies, and has terminated Ferguson’s contract.
A number of ex-Reds have ambassadorial arrangements with the club, with differing responsibilities.
Neville, who is part of United’s stadium task force as they consider plans for a ‘Wembley of the North’, recently represented the club in India.
The 49-year-old travelled to India for the Apollo Tyres flagship grassroots football programme, appearing as part of the ‘United We Play’ programme which the tyre company says is designed “to enable our next-generation players to reach their optimum performance by unlocking their potential”.
According to The Sun, Neville’s appearance in India was in a freelance capacity. Photos from the event show him speaking against a backdrop of event logos and the Manchester United badge.
Following the news that the 82-year-old had been ‘axed’ he was noticeably absent from Old Trafford on Saturday, instead opting to watch his former club Aberdeen in action at Parkhead who came from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 with Celtic.
United fans showed their support for the legendary manager as the Red Devils registered a 2-1 victory over Brentford by singing songs about him.
Sections of the crowd could be heard singing: “Every single one of us, loves Alex Ferguson”.
Ferguson led United to all 13 of United’s Premier League title wins.
Former England defender, Stuart Pearce urged United’s players to cover Ferguson’s wages, he told talkSPORT: “Wouldn’t it be good if the United squad said we’ll fund that money per season to keep Alex in post because he’s too important to this club?”
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