Neville was captain for six seasons at Goodison Park.
Former Everton captain Phil Neville applauds the club’s fans
Former Everton captain Phil Neville has named his preferred choice to succeed Roberto Martinez, during an interview with Talksport on Wednesday.
Neville spent eight seasons at Goodison Park, of which he captained the Toffees for six.
The former Manchester United and England man was brought to Merseyside by David Moyes and followed his former boss to Old Trafford in 2013, when he was appointed the Scot’s first-team coach.
Former Manchester United manager David Moyes (L) with Neville
And when asked who he thought would be a good fit to replace Martinez, Neville delivered a predictable response.
“Well if you look at the manager that was there before Roberto Martinez (Moyes) – what an amazing job he did,” the 39-year-old told the Colin Murray show (c. 12:40).
“He is available. He obviously, for me, would be the perfect choice because he knows the club, he knows what the supporters want in the club, he is ingrained in that football club and I think Everton need a little bit of that back.
“He will provide the steel, he will provide the energy. He’s the perfect man for the job – and he’s available.”
Neville left United shortly after Moyes was sacked in 2014, and spent the 2015-16 campaign as Valencia’s assistant manager.
But the Mancunian admitted his time at the club looks to be over after Pako Ayestaran was appointed the permanent successor to Neville’s brother Gary this month.
The Nevilles in Valencia
Moyes is reported to have featured on a nine-man Everton shortlist, alongside Frank de Boer, Ronald Koeman, Unai Emery and Manuel Pellegrini.
However, Koeman is now said to be close to a new Southampton contract, while Sevilla’s Emery has allegedly ruled himself out of the running.
Sevilla coach Unai Emery celebrates after May’s Europa League final
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