Gary Neville's Sky Sports role evolves as reason for MNF absence explained

Football fans have been pondering Gary Neville's absence from Monday Night Football with Sky Sports, with the pundit nowhere to be seen since his appearance in mid-August - and now, Mirror Football understands his reasons

Gary Neville is continuing stepping back from his Monday Night Football hosting duties with Sky Sports as his role with the broadcaster evolves.

Among other things, the former Manchester United captain wants to make more time for new projects in the United States, such as The Overlap US and his appearances on NBC Sports' coverage of the Premier League.

Neville became Monday Night Football's match analyst at the start of the 2011/12 season, taking over from Andy Gray. Two years later, he began presenting the show alongside broadcaster Ed Chamberlin, with Jamie Carragher joining in 2015.

Carragher and Neville have enjoyed a solid partnership over the years despite often clashing with their views. However, Neville's attendance on MNF has declined in recent months. The 49-year-old has not appeared since mid-August, instead allowing Carragher take the reins.

Neville told Rebecca Lowe on the Overlap US YouTube channel: "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."

Neville officially began retreating from MNF last year, which allowed Carragher to lead the programme, and this has been more prominent this season.

The presenter may still appear on the show sporadically in the future, but the programme will largely focus on special guest appearances instead of the Neville and Carragher partnership which was prevalent in years gone by.

It is understood that Neville may also be used on co-commentary from time to time, but he may not be in the studio alongside Carragher and the other pundits.

However, Neville remains one of Sky's most senior football pundits. He will continue appearing on their Friday Night Football, Saturday Night Football and Super Sunday broadcasts while contributing to Sky Sports Football's other endeavours.

As part of a collaboration between Sky Sports and NBC, Neville is set to appear on NBC Sports' Premier League coverage every Sunday of the 2024/25 campaign. However, it is understood that the analyst will predominantly do so through his live appearances for Sky Sports.

Sky Sports is finalising plans to allow Neville to work from NBC's live studio in New York for up to four weekends this season, with two appearances scheduled before Christmas. The English fans will not miss his first-class coverage, though, as the earmarked dates are not set to occur on any head-to-head weekends featuring big-name clashes in the Premier League.

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