Neville: Enjoyed Euro 2012 experience

After abandoning his playing career in January 2011, Neville became a TV pundit with Sky Sports, so his appointment onto Roy Hodgson's backroom team was a major surprise.

However, Neville's positive impact at the start of a four-year contract has raised suggestions he might want to branch out even further.

The 37-year-old is quick to quash that theory.

"I really enjoyed it," he said of his Euro 2012 experience. "Who would not enjoy being part of a tournament? It was an incredible experience for me.

"But I am acutely aware it is only the very beginning.

"I am ambitious and young and I want to learn more.

"I have no aspiration to be a football manager. I want to do what I am doing and make as big an impact as I can."

Neville, who will continue with his work for Sky Sports next season, has another England engagement looming, against Italy in Berne on August 15th.

It offers a chance for revenge against the team that knocked the Three Lions out of Euro 2012 at the quarter-final stage.

Despite that, England ended the tournament ranked number four in the world according to FIFA. It is not a view Neville shares.

"There is no point in kidding ourselves," he said. "We are not quite at the same level as Spain, Italy, Portugal and Germany.

"We are difficult to beat and hopefully over this next four years the manager can get his principles across to the players and we can do better.

"But the reality is there are a lot of nations out there who have very good football players and we have to be respectful of our position."