Why Gary Neville is stepping back from Monday Night Football role with Sky Sports

Gary Neville has decided to scale back his role on Sky Sports' Monday Night Football to dedicate more time towards burgeoning US projects.

Since taking up the mantle of match analyst at the dawn of the 2011/12 season, succeeding Andy Gray, and eventually starting to present alongside host Ed Chamberlin before Jamie Carragher's addition in 2015, Neville has been a staple on the show. The dynamic between Neville and Carragher has become a highlight for viewers, despite or perhaps because of their contrasting opinions.

Notably though, Neville's appearances have waned in recent times; he hasn't graced Monday Night Football since mid-August, leaving Carragher at the helm. Talking to Rebecca Lowe on the Overlap US YouTube channel, Neville shared: "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.".

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Last year marked the start of Neville stepping aside, permitting Carragher to steer Monday Night Football more assertively - a transition that has become increasingly apparent this season, reports Mirror Football. While the door remains open for Neville's occasional appearances, the show is pivoting towards incorporating special guests, moving away from the longstanding Neville-Carragher partnership.

Neville is expected to occasionally feature as a co-commentator, but it's unlikely he'll be in the studio with Carragher and other pundits. Despite this, Neville remains a key figure among Sky's football pundits, continuing his appearances on Friday Night Football, Saturday Night Football, and Super Sunday broadcasts while also contributing to other Sky Sports Football projects. It is also understood that Sky Sports and Neville are in agreement on the transition.

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. However, it's understood that he will primarily do so through his live appearances for Sky Sports.

Sky Sports is also reportedly finalising arrangements for Neville to work from NBC's live studio in New York for up to four weekends this season, including two appearances before Christmas. English fans won't miss out on his top-notch coverage too much though, as the selected dates are not expected to coincide with any major Premier League clashes.