Daily Mail

Twitter storm for boss Neville

- By MATT LAWTON and DOMINIC KING

PHIL NEVILLE plans to respond to the social media storm that erupted last night when he is officially unveiled as the new manager of the England women’s team next week. Neville met his new players at a training camp in Spain yesterday but by last night it appeared he had closed his personal Twitter account due to posts tweeted in 2011 and 2012 that left him open to accusation­s of sexism.

Sportsmail understand­s that Neville informed the Football Associatio­n after his final interview 12 days ago that it was his intention to come off social media if he was appointed. Last night a member of the FA

From Back Page social media team assisted him in saying farewell to over a million followers, shortly after confirmati­on of his appointmen­t. Even so, FA insiders suggested he may well have to tackle the issue of those tweets when he meets the media for the first time at St George’s Park, despite the fact that one post was a joke he shared with his wife and the other was sent in jest to his twin sister, Tracey. ‘U women of always wanted equality until it comes to paying the bills #hypocrites (sic),’ he said to the now England netball coach. The FA did not help matters last night when they announced his appointmen­t on the official Twitter account of the men’s team rather than the women’s @lionesses account. Neville, 41, agreed a two-year contract worth around £120,000 per year. His first game in charge will be in Columbus, on March 1, when Engand face France in the SheBelieve­s Cup.

 ?? GETTY IMAGES ?? I’m in charge: Phil Neville is now manager of England’s women
GETTY IMAGES I’m in charge: Phil Neville is now manager of England’s women

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