By Tim Parsons-
Phil Neville cut a humble figure when he faced the media on Monday Apologizing for a series of sexist tweets last week that caused an uproar, Neville was in a somber mood when he solemnly apologized I know the words I used were totally wrong.
‘I had to apologize because I looked at the words I used and I didn’t like them myself. They are not a reflection of my true character and they do not reflect the way that I was brought up by my parents.
‘They do not sit well with me but I can explain it. In isolation it was around a game of sport – table tennis, basketball while I was away on a family holiday.
‘But it was inappropriate then, in the same way it was in appropriate now. But I think my character stands up to any accusation that is leveled at me.
‘I have lived my life right. I have got a wife, a daughter, a sister who is England’s Netball coach. I have seen the sacrifices she has made, getting up at 4am, 5am.
REFLECTION
“I don’t think (the tweets) are a reflection of me, my character, my beliefs, the way I was brought up. I know my father is not with me now but I know that’s not the way he’d have wanted me to write, behave, act.
“It’s always been one of my traits that I’m honest with myself and you’ve got to take the criticism that comes your way.”
He then explained the context to the most problematic of the tweets, which made a reference to having just “battered” his wife.
The former England, Manchester United and Everton star said he had just beaten her at table tennis whilst on holiday. He added that he fully understood the seriousness of domestic violence and regretted his language.
The former Valencia assistant manager, who has also coached at Manchester United and taken sessions with England’s U21 team, also explained it was always his intention to delete his twitter account as soon as he became a manager, as he did not think the two were compatible.
‘I looked at the words I used. My father isn’t with me now but he would have been the first person to tell me that it was wrong. I want to be judged on performances.’
Neville defended his achievements and credentials for the role, saying: ‘I’ve done all of my qualifications, I cannot be more qualified for this job than what I am.
‘We agreed that I was the right man for the job and I’ve got to say that it was probably one of the highlights of my career.
‘Take everything I’ve done on the football field and since then it was a special moment because being manager of the national team is the ultimate honour and I’ve got that now.’
Neville, 41, received a warning from the Football Association over his conduct but will take on the England job and has already set his sights on winning the World Cup.
He said: ‘I want to develop into a World Cup winner. I want to win an Olympic gold medal. Any job after being England manager is a step down.
‘I am qualified because I have the ultimate certificate. I am driven, I am going excited about the challenge. I have worked and played at elite level.
‘I know women’s football. Do I know everything about women’s football? No. I’m a fast learner. I will throw everything into making this a success.
‘I told them it was about winning now. It was one of the proudest moments of my career.’
Phil Neville has conceded that the controversy surrounding the inappropriate tweets he wrote in the past has not diminished his pride in being made England women’s team manager.
The tweets, which were written in 2011 and 2012, surfaced within hours of his appointment last week and were branded as “misogynistic and sexist” by anti-discrimination charity Kick It Out.
With his appointment already under fire for a perceived lack of credentials, he had to explain himself to his new employers, the Football Association, and issue a written, public apology.
Facing the media for the first time since getting the job at the National Football Centre on Monday, Neville denied he was sexist but admitted he only had himself to blame.
Asked whether the furore had made the last few days difficult, the 41-year-old said: “When the FA announced my appointment it was probably one of the best moments of my career.
“Subsequently, there was a disappointment, but I always look myself in the mirror. It’s nobody else’s fault that those words were used.
“That’s why I thought it was important that I apologised, and I’ve apologised again today.
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