Gary Neville slams Chelsea for ‘ridiculous’ and ‘almost cultish’ huddle incident in Newcastle defeat
Gary Neville has blasted Liam Rosenior over Chelsea’s increasingly frequent pre-match huddles, urging the Blues boss to scrap what he labelled a “ridiculous gimmick”.
The unusual routine has become a familiar sight since Rosenior took charge in January, with players gathering around the ball before kick-off and again at the start of the second half.
But the tactic drew widespread attention during Saturday’s match with Newcastle when Chelsea’s players formed a circle around referee Paul Tierney, who had been standing over the ball waiting to start the game.
The awkward moment briefly delayed proceedings and led to criticism across the football world, with Rosenior later accusing Tierney of interfering with the team’s routine.
Despite the manager’s defence, the scene quickly became the subject of ridicule from pundits and supporters alike.
Former Manchester United captain Neville was among those unimpressed, insisting the ritual is unnecessary and serves little purpose beyond appearances.
Speaking on his Sky Sports podcast, Neville said he was baffled by the spectacle and questioned why professional footballers would need last-second motivation moments before kick-off.
“I thought it was extremely odd, really weird,” he said. “I’ve never been a fan of huddles.
Paul Tierney gets caught in the middle of the Chelsea huddle 😂❓ pic.twitter.com/fhCRunycBX
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) March 14, 2026
“If you’ve prepared for months of a season, then spent the week building up to the match, and you still need a huddle ten seconds before kick-off to motivate yourselves, something has gone wrong with your preparation.”
Neville, who spent two decades at Manchester United, insisted that by the time players reach the pitch, all tactical instructions and mental preparation should already be complete.
“You’ve done all your analysis, you know your opponent and you’ve already talked everything through in the dressing room,” he continued.
“What more can possibly be said in that moment before the game starts?”
Five facts about the Premier League | PA/GETTY/REUTERS/GBNEWS
The former England international went further, suggesting the huddles are little more than a performative gesture aimed at convincing supporters that the squad is united.
“It’s just for show,” Neville said.
“It’s almost cultish.
“It’s meant to tell the fans that the team spirit is strong, but supporters won’t be fooled by that. They’ll judge the team on the performance.”
Neville also argued the tactic offers no competitive advantage and is unlikely to intimidate opponents.
“It didn’t intimidate Newcastle United and it won’t intimidate any top side,” he added.
“Standing in the middle of the pitch doing that just looks strange.”
In fact, Neville believes Rosenior should act quickly to put an end to the practice before it becomes an unnecessary distraction.
Chelsea boss Liam Rosenior has come under serious pressure this week | REUTERS
“I can’t think of anything more ridiculous,” he said. “If I was the manager I would stop it immediately and nip it in the bud.”
Chelsea initially enjoyed an encouraging start following Rosenior’s arrival, but their form has dipped significantly in recent weeks.
The Blues were eliminated from the Carabao Cup by Arsenal and have managed just one victory in their last five league matches, slipping to sixth in the Premier League standings.
Their problems have also extended into Europe.
Chelsea face an uphill battle in the UEFA Champions League after suffering a heavy 5–2 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in the first leg of their last-16 tie.
PSG travel to Stamford Bridge on Tuesday night looking to seal their place in the quarter-finals, where the winners will meet either reigning Premier League champions Liverpool or Turkish giants Galatasaray.
