Danny Simpson has revealed that Gary Neville negotiated his contract with Manchester United, and the former right-back managed to secure him more money
Danny Simpson of Manchester United running during the Pre-season Friendly match between Preston North End and Manchester United at Deepdale on July 29, 2006 in Preston, England.
Danny Simpson signed his first professional contract with Manchester United(Image: Paul Mcfegan/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images)
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Danny Simpson claims Gary Neville helped negotiate his Manchester United contract with Sir Alex Ferguson because he was too intimidated to face the legendary manager himself.
The former right-back spent five years at Old Trafford after joining the first-team squad in 2005, making eight appearances for the club. When it came time to discuss his professional contract, Simpson found himself in an unusual predicament.
Rather than following the conventional route of having his agent handle negotiations, Simpson turned to his captain for help. The now-38-year-old was concerned that mentioning his agent might upset Ferguson and jeopardise his chances at the club.
Speaking on talkSPORT's Inside Devils, Simpson said: "Gary Neville actually negotiated my contract with Fergie. As a young kid, when you're starting to knock on the door and get around the first team, you're scared that you're going to annoy him.
"He'd go, 'I want to give you a new contract,' and you'd say to him, 'My agent will see you.' You were scared to say that. Whereas now it's the first thing you say."
Danny Simpson of Leicester City shares a joke with Gary Neville at Old Trafford ahead of the Premier League match between Manchester United and Leicester City at Old Trafford on September 24th, 2016 in Manchester, United Kingdom.
Gary Neville was Simpson's saviour with Fergie(Image: Plumb Images/Leicester City FC via Getty Images)
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Simpson credits Neville with demonstrating genuine leadership by taking on this unexpected responsibility and ultimately securing a better deal than anticipated. He added: "I'm thinking, 'If I say that, he's going to bin me off.' So I spoke to Gaz and Gaz was like, 'I'll go see him for you.'
"It was me, Gaz and Sir Alex in the room. I didn't really know what to do. So I'm just sat there in the middle. He (Neville) actually got me more money, to be fair. He actually didn't [ask for a cut]. The Gaz that you see now is always that Gaz."
Neville's generosity in helping to secure Simpson's contract demonstrates the leadership qualities and selfless character that remain evident today.
Danny Simpson of Leicester City warms up ahead of the Premier League match between Leicester City and Cardiff City at King Power Stadium on December 29th , 2018 in Leicester, United Kingdom.
Simpson found success at Leicester City(Image: Plumb Images/Leicester City FC via Getty Images)
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Although the club showed confidence in the young defender at the time, Simpson spent the majority of his United career on loan at clubs including Sunderland, Ipswich Town and Blackburn Rovers.
After a temporary stint at Newcastle, the defender made the switch to Tyne and Wear permanent in 2010. He subsequently joined Leicester City, where he enjoyed his greatest achievements.
Simpson was part of the 2015/16 squad that defied the odds to win the Premier League under Claudio Ranieri. Whilst he never achieved sustained success under Fergie, the former footballer did claim silverware during his playing days.