Gary Neville insists Salford City are in "good hands" after relinquishing his part-time CEO role.
Former Manchester United and England star Neville has been in the position for eight years, dating back to the year when he and a number of his fellow 'Class of 92' members took over the club. Another of his co-owners, Nicky Butt, will replace Neville in the role from November 1.
Neville, 47, has been combining his Salford role with responsibilities elsewhere in the game. He is a regular on Sky Sports broadcasts, both as a co-commentator and a pundit, and has a number of fingers in different pies both inside and outside football.
"As the club has developed with such pace it needs someone who can concentrate on the club and be there every day, and Nicky is the ideal candidate to do this," Neville said in a statement. “I have enjoyed my eight years and can’t believe how much we have achieved in that time, and how proud I am of the hard work everyone at the club has put in to make a dream we had whilst on a train, turn into a reality.
“I will now be able to sit back and enjoy the game on match days safe in the knowledge that it is in good hands. I’d like to thank Peter Lim and the other lads for everything they’ve done, all the staff, on and off the pitch, that I have worked with for your commitment and dedication and the fans who have been with us from the beginning."
Neville's successor, Butt, is another member of the ownership group to have played for both United and England. The Champions League winning midfielder has previously spent time as part of Man Utd's coaching staff, including a spell in interim charge of the under-23 side.
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Salford were playing non-league football when the takeover happened in 2014. They have since climbed up into the football league pyramid and currently sit just outside the play-off places in League Two, with former Manchester United academy talent Neil Wood taking over as manager in the summer after previously taking charge of the under-23s at his old club.
“I am delighted and welcome this opportunity, this pressure, this responsibility," Butt said. "The club, staff, team and fans are everything and what makes this club special, and why we fell in love with the club all those years ago.
“I accept the responsibility that brings, the responsibility of the long term vision whilst concentrating on the short term goals and what is needed now and will work hard to take the club to where we believe it can be.”
