Former Newcastle United captain lands first CEO role after leaving Manchester United

Former Newcastle United midfielder Nicky Butt has replaced Gary Neville as CEO at League Two side Salford City. Butt has been out of work since leaving Manchester United’s academy last year.

Neville, the former Man United defender turned Sky Sports pundit, has led the day-to-day running of Salford since the ‘Class of 92’ took ownership of the club in 2014.

But after eight years, Neville has decided to step down from his position - although remains co-owner - allowing Butt to take on the CEO role full-time to help push the club’s ambitious plans.

“I am delighted and welcome this opportunity, this pressure, this responsibility,” Butt said. “The club, staff, team and fans are everything and what makes this club special, and why we fell in love with the Club all those years ago.

“I accept the responsibility that brings, the responsibility of the long term vision whilst concentrating on the short term goals and what is needed now and will work hard to take the Club to where we believe it can be.”

Neville added: “As the club has developed with such pace it needs someone who can concentrate on the club and be there every day, and Nicky is the ideal candidate to do this.

“I have enjoyed my eight years and can’t believe how much we have achieved in that time, and how proud I am of the hard work everyone at the Club has put in to make a dream we had whilst on a train, turn into a reality.”

Butt joined Newcastle in 2004 and spent six years at St James’ Park, which included a loan spell at Birmingham City. In Butt’s final season, he won promotion from the Championship under Chris Hughton before ending his playing days in China.

Following his retirement, Butt returned to Old Trafford and held a number of coaching and player development across eight years. The 47-year-old is among the ‘Class of 92’ members, including Gary and Phil Neville, David Beckham, Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes involved with Salford.