Gary Neville has once again criticized Arsenal manager Nicolas Jover, saying he is “exceeding his importance” with his touchline antics.
Arsenal have enjoyed huge success from corners and free-kicks in recent seasons, with Jover credited with adding a new dimension to Mikel Arteta’s side.
The Gunners took advantage of his expertise again last night with Declan Rice’s left corner headed goalwards by Gabriel before lashing Spurs striker Dominic Solanke to equalize in the north London derby. Arsenal then won thanks to Leandro Trossard’s goal to move within four points of leaders Liverpool.
A Dominic Solanke deflection following a Gabriel header means Arsenal have equalized in the North London Derby 🤩
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/jmta7hfZU4
– Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) January 15, 2025
And while Neville is happy to pay tribute to Jover for his work, the former Manchester United and England full-back believes he needs to rein in his exuberance.
Speaking on Stick to Football, Neville said: “I called him the most boring man in football. Do you know something? I consolidate my position, I double the stake.
“It offends me every week. I will say it very calmly, I think it exceeds its importance.
“If a goalkeeper makes a good save, I don’t see the goalkeeper coach on the sideline. I don’t see other coaches coming up and taking the glory.
“The manager is in front, he cannot communicate 50 meters away with players who know what they are doing. I think he exaggerates its importance, I sincerely believe that.
“I see brilliant goalkeeper coaches and coaches working on other aspects of the game, I don’t see them pointing fingers at each other and exaggerating their importance.
“That’s how I feel. I understand he’s important and he’s doing a great job, but I honestly think he needs to sit down for a bit. I think players will start looking at it too and thinking, “Wait a minute, come on.”
Wright says Neville was tough
Neville’s co-hosts had differing opinions on this, with Jamie Carragher admitting he “couldn’t disagree with that”, while former Arsenal striker Ian Wright felt he was “very, very hard.”
Gabriel also scored the winner as Arsenal won the reverse fixture at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in September, after which Arteta praised Jover’s work.
When asked if Jover was the best in his field, he replied: “In his field, in other fields and as a person. And the relationship we have – that’s why I made the decision to bring him to [Manchester] City when I was there then at Arsenal.
“He and the rest of the staff instilled in the players the belief that there are many ways to win football games. It’s really powerful and it has given us a lot. So it’s a big compliment to them all.
