But Neville is determined to become a No. 1 in his own right and has declined the opportunity to make his return to the game at Villa Park.

The former England international is available after leaving his role as Valencia’s assistant manager at the end of last season and is keen to strike out on his own.

In May, Neville said: “In terms of my next step, unless it’s something really special, I think I’d like to go on my own and do my own thing.

“I went out to Valencia to create my own pathway and to keep my individual learning going, and that’s where I see it really.

“Rather than going back in as an assistant or a first-team coach, even though there may be opportunities to do that, in my ideal world I’d like to be on my own and continue my development on my own.”