Gary Neville Slams ‘Not Authentic’ England Players For Hiding Behind Social Media Teams
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Gary Neville criticised England players for sounding like automated robots on Twitter, asking "do any of the lads post themselves?"
Many elite professional footballers use social media staff to manage their accounts and Neville was clearly disheartened by the inauthentic messages after England's 2-0 win in Albania.
"It's a shame they don't manage their personal connection to the fans and media," said Neville adding the hashtag: Independent Thinkers.
Reading some of the England players tweets last night. Do any of the lads post themselves ? They don't sound authentic. It's a real shame they don't manage their personal connection to the fans and media. #independentthinkers
- Gary Neville (@GNev2) March 29, 2021
Several of England's players posted remarkably similar messages after their victory in the World Cup qualifier. Jesse Lingard and Mason Mount both went for a "job done" and let's look forward to Wednesday approach (classic).
Harry Maguire and Phil Foden put Manchester rivalries aside to go for a "Two wins from two" message... while also looking forward to Wednesday and England's game against Poland.
Job done, looking forward to Wednesday! pic.twitter.com/eIRUaIKX9r
- Mason Mount (@masonmount_10) March 28, 2021
Job done! We go again Wednesday! :flag_black: #WCQualifiers pic.twitter.com/O4CsaJDKbQ
- Jesse Lingard (@JesseLingard) March 28, 2021
One Twitter user pointed out that the platform is a "cesspit" and asked why players would bother. To which Manchester United great Neville replied: "I get that.
"Either be on it yourself with your own thoughts or stay off it completely."
I get that . Either be on it yourself with your own thoughts or stay off it completely. https://t.co/js3XIImdwx
- Gary Neville (@GNev2) March 29, 2021
Frankly, if Neville thinks that top-level footballers don't sound this devoid of personality in real life, he hasn't heard many post-match interviews recently.
Two wins from two. Focus now on Wednesday :raised_hands::flag_black: pic.twitter.com/YlWejguUrr
- Harry Maguire (@HarryMaguire93) March 28, 2021
Two from two!! Can't wait for Wednesday!! #ThreeLions pic.twitter.com/dUWK8k7k6h
- Phil Foden (@PhilFoden) March 28, 2021
Make that 2 in 2 @HKane :heavy_check_mark: pic.twitter.com/Fa4KVIaKdR
- Raheem Sterling (@sterling7) March 28, 2021
But of course players having their social media accounts managed for them is a common situation, generally so that they don't get themselves in trouble by saying the wrong thing (or simply because they aren't interested in using it but know they should to grow their profile).
However using a team to help manage a social media account doesn't always meaning avoiding problems.
My social media team don't get up till 8am so here I am :ok_hand: https://t.co/sCMWQvGmsu
- Gary Neville (@GNev2) March 29, 2021
No articulate social media team managing it for me could get " There " and " Their " mixed up as much as this account ! https://t.co/MZDJXHNqf1
- Gary Neville (@GNev2) March 29, 2021
Spurs goalkeeper Joe Hart got himself in an embarrassing situation earlier this month after an Instagram post was sent from his account with the message "job done" - following Tottenham's humiliating Europa League exit to Dinamo Zagreb.
Hart had to record a video the following morning explaining it was an admin error on the part of his social media team.
So perhaps Neville is right and players should just send their own messages, errors and all.
Now let's all look forward to Wednesday.
"Have a great day." Sensational. pic.twitter.com/Da1JWdpndO
- Andy Ha (@AndyHa_) March 19, 2021
Featured image credit: PA Images/Twitter
Topics: England, Gary Neville, Twitter
