Phil Neville: England boss hits back at 'keyboard warrior' Raymond Verheijen for Women's World Cup criticism

'He’s a keyboard warrior. It’s why he’s got an egg next to his name on Twitter'

Phil Neville has hit back at Raymond Verheijen, calling the former Wales assistant manager as a “keyboard warrior” for criticising the standard of football at the Women’s World Cup on social media.

Verheijen claimed on Wednesday that the tournament should be played behind “closed curtains”, describing the level of play as “shocking” and like “watching grass grow”.

“One of the reasons is that most teams are coached by clueless left overs from the men’s game rather than by the best female coaches,” he added on Twitter, on which he uses the default ‘egg’ avatar.

Verheijen’s remarks could be viewed as a slight on Neville, who worked as a coach in the men’s game at Manchester United and Valencia before taking charge of England’s women.

When the comments were put to Neville at his pre-match press conference ahead of the Lionesses’ second Group D match against Argentina, the England manager went on the attack.

”He’s had a go at [Sir Alex] Ferguson, [Arsene] Wenger, [Mauricio] Pochettino, [Jurgen] Klopp. Every top manager in the world, he’s had a go at,” Neville said.

“That probably is aimed at me, because when I was at Manchester United [on the coaching staff], he used to have a go at David Moyes. He has a go at everyone.

“He is a keyboard warrior,” he added. “He sits and talks a fantastic game, but I never see him working in top-level football. That is why he can’t get employed.

“We can all talk a good game. Raymond, go out there and get a job. Go win a Champions League, go and win a Premier League.

“That’s what Wenger does, the people he is having a go at. He’s a keyboard warrior. It’s why he has an egg next to his name on Twitter.”

Verheijen was a vocal critic of David Moyes’ methods at United during the 2013-14 campaign, when Neville worked under Moyes as part of his backroom staff.

The Dutch fitness specialist claimed that “dinosaur” Moyes and his staff had “overtrained” their players during pre-season, resulting in an injury to his countryman Robin van Persie.