Phil Neville: 'Managers need to be brave with youngsters'

By Daniel Cross, Reporter | 08 June 2013

Phil Neville urges managers to be braver when it comes to introducing young players into the team.

Phil Neville has urged managers in England to be "a bit braver" when it comes to giving young players a chance.

Neville, who announced his retirement yesterday, has been working with England at the European Under-21 Championships.

The 36-year-old, who was part of a famous crop of youngsters at Manchester United 20 years ago, thinks that getting game time for young players is a problem.

"The biggest thing is to get players playing regularly," said Neville. "The likes of Jack Rodwell, Jordan Henderson, Jonjo Shelvey, the ones below them like Ross Barkley and Nathan Chalobah.

"I have seen enough of Chalobah this season at Watford to see that he could play 20 games for Chelsea season, the League Cup, the early rounds of the Champions League.

"Managers have got to be a bit braver. It didn't stifle Alex Ferguson's philosophy, bringing young players in. Look what he has done with Tom Cleverley, the same with Danny Welbeck."

Neville is currently studying for his UEFA A coaching licence.