Gary Neville's MNF absence explained as he steps back from Sky Sports role

Gary Neville has stepped back from Monday Night Football (Image: Getty)

Gary Neville has stepped back from his Monday Night Football presenting duties at Sky Sports. The ex-Manchester United skipper is clearing his Monday schedule in favour of new ventures across the pond, including his work on The Overlap US and contributing to NBC Sports’ coverage of the Premier League.

Since stepping in as a match analyst at the start of the 2011/12 season, following Andy Gray’s departure, Neville has become an iconic figure on MNF. He ascended to presenter status in partnership with Ed Chamberlin in 2014 before Jamie Carragher joined the team in 2015.

Despite their differing opinions often leading to fiery exchanges, Neville and Carragher have forged a formidable duo on screen. Yet, Neville has been notably absent from MNF since August, paving the way for Carragher to steer the show solo.

Speaking to Rebecca Lowe on the Overlap US YouTube channel, Neville shared his shift in focus: “So tomorrow, I’m expected to do set-pieces, whereas with Sky, on Monday Night Football, there are some set pieces which I prepare for – but now I don’t do Monday Night Football anymore. I don’t do set-pieces any more,” reports Mirror Football.

Having gradually stepped away from the limelight with MNF since last season, Neville has appeared significantly less this term – and it is understood that Sky Sports will welcome special guests over the coming season in his absence. Despite this, Neville is expected to occasionally provide co-commentary for the showing, but it’s unlikely he’ll be in the studio with Carragher and other pundits.

It is said that Neville still remains a key figure among Sky’s football analysts, continuing his appearances on Friday Night Football, Saturday Night Football, and Super Sunday broadcasts, while also contributing to other Sky Sports Football projects.

Carragher and Neville have worked together on Monday Night Football for almost a decade (Image: Getty Images)

In a partnership between Sky Sports and NBC, Neville is slated to host NBC Sports’ Premier League coverage every Sunday of the 2024/25 season, primarily through his live appearances for Sky. Broadcasters are finalising arrangements for Neville to operate from NBC’s live New York studio for up to four weekends this season, including two appearances before Christmas.

However, English fans won’t miss out on his top-tier coverage as the selected dates don’t coincide with any major Premier League clashes.

Source: https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/1966826/Gary-Neville-Sky-Sports-Monday-Night-Football

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