All ends in tears: England again fell at the quarter-final stage at Germany 2006

Neville tries to explain exactly what his role is. ‘It’s about trying to help the players when the moment arises,’ he said. ‘It’s about helping them to do the right things, eat the right things, train the right way, don’t train too much, rest, sleep. At Euro 96 I don’t think I slept for three weeks.

‘The boss does the bigger-picture stuff on the team shape but I think you can affect players’ mentalities individually and speak to them.’

Neville applauds Hodgson for  giving the players some time off when other countries were already preparing for the European Championship.

‘We have tried everything else,’ he said. ‘I think it’s brave by Roy Hodgson, giving the players some time off. He has respected the fact that they need a break.’

Neville will not get much of a break. Before he knows it he will be back on TV, analysing matches and analysing the performances of the players he is working with now.

‘There’s been a lot said about this in the last week and until the  season starts nobody knows how it’s going to go,’ he said. ‘But a year ago people were asking how I would ever be able to commentate on a Manchester City or Liverpool match. I’d like to think I’ve  overcome those fears and I’m going to have to do it again.’

He has been critical of the FA in the past. In 2003 he even led the players in threatening to strike over what he considered the harsh  treatment of Rio Ferdinand in the wake of his missed drugs test. That the FA still employed him is something he appreciates.

‘What it shows is that the FA and the boss are not afraid to make decisions,’ he said. ‘Roy said he didn’t want “a yes man”. I’ve said in the past that I feel England  managers have invited friends to be around them at times. If I’ve  criticised the FA it’s been about one incident. It’s not aimed at the organisation as a whole.

‘At times I can look back and think I might have handled myself differently, but we are where we are and I have said continuously over the last 10 to 12 years that there are an awful lot of good people at the FA.’

But he won’t be leading another strike. ‘No, not now,’ he said.

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