Gary Neville wanted for major political role as Manchester United legend touted for career pivot

Sir Keir Starmer speaking on stage with a laughing Gary Neville.

Gary Neville has been suggested as a potential candidate for mayor of his native Greater Manchester.

The former Manchester United and England full-back has not been shy about expressing political opinions and support for Labour in the past, and his social conscience has led to his name being mooted by the Labour party if the role becomes vacant, according to the i Paper.

Andy Burnham has held the publicly-elected post since 2017 but has been rumoured to be mulling over standing as an MP in the area, with Andrew Gwynne’s seat in Gorton and Denton set to be vacated following a leaked WhatsApp message scandal.

Andy Burnham MP move could open door for Gary Neville to move into politics

Gary Neville has not been shy about expressing his political views (Image credit: Getty Images)

However, multiple reports have suggested that Prime Minister and Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer may not be keen for Burnham to stand down as mayor to run as an MP, for multiple reasons.

Chief amongst them is a concern that the Labour might lose control of the Greater Manchester mayoralty in the by-election that would ensue if Burnham were to leave the post, and the expense it would cost the party in their efforts to try and prevent that.

Gary Neville's name has been put forward as a potential mayoral candidate (Image credit: Getty Images)

However, one potential solution that may get Labour’s blessing would be to find a high-profile public figure to step into Burnham’s shoes – which is why Neville’s name has been suggested.

An anonymous Labour source told the i Paper: “If you’re Andy, it’s better to have the promise of a big gun rather than popping some unknown council leader on the ballot as the mayoral candidate, then falling to Nigel Farage.

“I think he has somebody in mind in the shape of Gary Neville. Whether or not the party members would respond to that, I don’t know.”

It is currently unclear whether or not Neville would even be interested in standing as mayor.

Andy Burnham would need to quit the Greater Manchester mayoral role to stand as an MP (Image credit: Jacob King)

Burnham is regarded as a potential future challenger to Starmer amid pressure on the Prime Minister, the prospect of which has gone down about as well as you would expect among those loyal to Starmer.

The report adds that Labour may still prove to be opposed to the idea even if Neville – or someone like him – could be enlisted.

Neither Neville’s agent nor Burnham’s office had responded to the story at time of publication.