Gary Neville Betting Hints At Parliament Tilt Ahead Of Manchester Mayor

Betting sites have begun taking punts on Gary Neville’s political career as the outspoken former footballer continues to make headlines outside of the sport.

Neville has proved he isn’t shy of giving his opinion after a decade working as a pundit and co-commentator for Sky Sports.

He was one of the most vociferous opponents of the European Super League, has called for action to stamp racism out of football, and is more than happy to criticise his old club Manchester United for their perpetual failings.

And in recent years the former England full-back has also caused a stir in the political sphere by calling out Boris Johnson’s Conservative government over a raft of issues. 

This includes the rhetoric around racism heading into Euro 2020 that resulted in a backlash against three black England players who missed penalties in the final.

Before the final Neville said: “The standard of leaders in this country the past couple of years has been poor, looking at that man (Gareth Southgate), he’s everything a leader should be, respectful, humble, he tells the truth.”

Neville has since confirmed he is a Labour Party member. And UK bookmakers reckon he could soon become an MP.

Gary Neville Betting

Neville has done a fair number of media rounds over the past few months, criticising the government and calling for social action on a wide range of issues. 

It’s seen his odds on political betting sites of becoming an MP this decade fall from a height of 20/1.

Indeed, Ladbrokes are currently offering odds of 8/1 on Neville entering the House of Commons before 2030 - that suggests an 11% likelihood. To put this into context, England are 7/1 to win the World Cup this winter.

Could Neville become an MP? Back in January he gave the politicians’ answer “I’m not saying never” when asked by the BBC Today programme. He added: “When I ask myself the question do you want to dip your toes in, I can’t dip my toes in because I’m all or nothing. I go in and I’m going in.”

Neville was more coy about the prospect of succeeding Andy Burnham as Manchester mayor in a recent interview on the Political Party podcast. Burnham could well run for a seat in Westminster at the next election, with half an eye on the Labour leadership. 

It means Manchester’s mayoral post would be up for grabs - so Neville is at 16/1 to replace Burnham.

As for the big job, the best bookmakers aren’t expecting Neville to make it to No 10 in his quest to change politics. 

The former footballer is 100/1 to be prime minister by 2050. At that price he is alongside Manchester United striker Marcus Rashford and ex-PM David Cameron. Piers Morgan, meanwhile, is out at 200/1.

Marcus Rashford Odds

Speaking of Rashford, the England forward has led the way for calling out the government over the past few years and forced change at the heart of Westminster. 

Rashford succeeded in forcing the government into a U-turn on offering free meals to school children during the summer holidays, and did so again heading into Christmas 2020.

Rashford has been a champion of acceptance, understanding and openness in recent years, and has donated more than £20m to charities.

The Man Utd striker was made an MBE in the delayed 2020 Queen’s birthday honours list, and was the target of racist abuse after England’s Euro 2020 final defeat.

Betting apps have him at 33/1 to be an MP before 2060, which seems a credible price considering his playing days will be over in the 2030s.