New England manager Roy Hodgson made a surprise move yesterday by adding Gary Neville to his coaching team.

The FA announced that former Manchester United defender Neville had been appointed on a four-year contract and that he would begin work under Hodgson in time for next month’s European Championships.

But while Neville, who only retired from competitive football in the 2010/11 season, should help Hodgson in forging links with players, the decision to allow him to continue as a media pundit could lead to possible conflicts of interest.

Neville, who holds UEFA A and B coaching licences but has no senior coaching experience, made 85 appearances for England while winning every domestic honour with Manchester United, and the Champions League.

He retired in February last year and has since been widely praised for his work as a football pundit with Sky Sports.

The 37-year-old Neville will now join coach Ray Lewington and goalkeeper coaches Ray Clemence and Dave Watson in Hodgson’s coaching staff at the European Championships in Poland and Ukraine.

“Gary has achieved so much in the game as a player,” said Hodgson in an FA statement.

“He has obtained UEFA coaching qualifications and will be tremendously respected by the players because of his vast experience as a player.”