View source for Neil Wood

{{short description|English footballer}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2023}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name           = Neil Wood
| image          = 
| caption        = 
| fullname       = Neil Anthony Wood<ref name="Hugman">{{Hugman|21573|access-date=2 May 2020}}</ref>
| birth_date     = {{birth date and age|1983|1|4|df=y}}<ref name="Hugman"/>
| birth_place    = [[Stretford]], [[Greater Manchester]], England<ref name="Hugman"/>
| height         = {{convert|1.78|m|order=flip}}<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.manutd.com/bio/bio.sps?iBiographyId=1642 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20050906215542/http://www.manutd.com/bio/bio.sps?iBiographyId=1642 |archive-date=6 September 2005 |title=Neil Wood |publisher=Manchester United F.C. |access-date=2 May 2020}}</ref>
| position       = [[Midfielder]]<ref name="Hugman"/>
| youthyears1    = 1991–2001 |youthclubs1 = [[Manchester United F.C. Under-21s and Academy|Manchester United]]
| years1         = 2001–2004 |clubs1 = [[Manchester United F.C.|Manchester United]]              |caps1 = 0  |goals1 = 0
| years2         = 2001–2002 |clubs2 = → [[Royal Antwerp F.C.|Royal Antwerp]] (loan)             |caps2 = 3  |goals2 = 0
| years3         = 2003      |clubs3 = → [[Peterborough United F.C.|Peterborough United]] (loan) |caps3 = 3  |goals3 = 1
| years4         = 2004      |clubs4 = → [[Burnley F.C.|Burnley]] (loan)                         |caps4 = 10 |goals4 = 1
| years5         = 2004–2006 |clubs5 = [[Coventry City F.C.|Coventry City]]                      |caps5 = 17 |goals5 = 0
| years6         = 2006      |clubs6 = → [[Blackpool F.C.|Blackpool]] (loan)                     |caps6 = 3  |goals6 = 0
| years7         = 2006      |clubs7 = [[Blackpool F.C.|Blackpool]]                              |caps7 = 4  |goals7 = 0
| years8         = 2006–2007 |clubs8 = [[Oldham Athletic A.F.C.|Oldham Athletic]]                |caps8 = 5  |goals8 = 0
| years9         = 2008      |clubs9 = [[FK Željezničar Sarajevo|Željezničar]]                   |caps9 = 16 |goals9 = 0
| years10        = 2010      |clubs10 = [[Atherstone Town F.C.|Atherstone Town]]                 |caps10 =   |goals10 =
| totalcaps      = 61        |totalgoals = 2
| nationalyears1 = 1998      |nationalteam1 = [[England national under-16 football team|England U16]] |nationalcaps1 = 1 |nationalgoals1 = 2
| manageryears1  = 2019–2022 |managerclubs1 = [[Manchester United F.C. Under-21s and Academy|Manchester United U23]]
| manageryears2  = 2022–2023     |managerclubs2 = [[Salford City F.C.|Salford City]]
}}
'''Neil Anthony Wood''' (born 4 January 1983) is an English [[Association football|football]] [[Manager (association football)|manager]] and former player. He was most recently the manager of {{English football updater|SalfordC}} club [[Salford City F.C.|Salford City]].

As a player, Wood played as a [[midfielder]]. He began his playing career in the [[Manchester United F.C. Under-21s and Academy|academy]] of [[Manchester United F.C.|Manchester United]], though he never appeared for the first team due to several injuries. He was sent out on loan several times, first to Belgian club [[Royal Antwerp F.C.|Royal Antwerp]] where he made his professional début in 2001, and later to [[Peterborough United F.C.|Peterborough United]] and [[Burnley F.C.|Burnley]], before departing the club in 2004 for [[Coventry City F.C.|Coventry City]]. Wood struggled for regular appearances and after 18 months was loaned to [[Blackpool F.C.|Blackpool]], who signed him permanently shortly after. Wood then moved first to [[Oldham Athletic A.F.C.|Oldham Athletic]] and then to Bosnian team [[FK Željezničar Sarajevo|Željezničar]]. He returned to England in 2009, spending time with amateur side [[Atherstone Town F.C.|Atherstone Town]] before retiring in 2010.

Upon his retirement Wood began coaching, beginning with [[Aston Villa F.C.|Aston Villa]] in their [[Aston Villa F.C. Under-23s and Academy|academy]] before moving back to United, where he rose through the ranks to become [[Manchester United F.C. Under-21s and Academy|U23]] manager in 2019. After three years in the role, Wood was appointed manager of Salford City, his first role in senior football. In 2023, Wood was sacked by Salford with the club 21st in the league.

==Playing career==
===Manchester United: injuries and loans===
Having joined the club aged eight, Wood began his career as a trainee with [[Manchester United F.C.|Manchester United]] in 1999, and turned professional the following year.<ref name="LancTelegraph">{{cite web |url=https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/news/5860132.claret-corner-wood-fighting-footballing-future/ |title=In the Claret corner: Wood is fighting for footballing future |work=[[Lancashire Telegraph]] |date=30 January 2004 |access-date=20 May 2022}}</ref> He was a member of the [[Manchester United F.C. Under-21s and Academy|reserve team]] and scored on his debut, playing as a striker alongside [[David Healy (footballer)|David Healy]] under the tutelage of [[Jimmy Ryan (footballer, born 1945)|Jimmy Ryan]].<ref name="WhitwellAthletic">{{cite web |last=Whitwell |first=Laurie |url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/1157054/2019/08/24/fractured-skull-blood-clots-and-the-pain-of-missing-out-driving-neil-wood-to-smooth-the-path-for-united-u23s/ |title=Fractured skull, blood clots and the pain of missing out driving Neil Wood to smooth the path for United U23s |publisher=[[The Athletic]] |date=24 August 2019 |access-date=21 May 2022}}</ref> Around this time he also played for the [[England national under-16 football team|England U16 team]], scoring two goals on his debut in the [[Victory Shield]].<ref name="WhitwellAthletic"/> He eventually received a first-team squad number but never made a senior team appearance, suffering with various injuries including a blood clot in his thigh, a fractured skull, and [[articular cartilage damage]], keeping him out of action for 18 months.<ref name="LancTelegraph"/><ref name="WhitwellAthletic"/> The emerging talents of players such as [[Darren Fletcher]] and [[David Jones (footballer, born 1984)|David Jones]] meant he was overtaken in the youth pecking order in his absence.<ref name="WhitwellAthletic"/>

In December 2001, Wood was loaned out to Belgian club [[Royal Antwerp F.C.|Royal Antwerp]] of the [[Belgian First Division A|First Division]] alongside teammate [[Alan Tate]],<ref>{{cite web |last=Buckingham |first=Mark |url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/2224939/united-duo-head-out |title=United duo head out |publisher=[[Sky Sports]] |date=10 December 2001 |access-date=20 May 2022}}</ref> and to [[Peterborough United F.C.|Peterborough United]] of the [[Football League Second Division]] on a one-month loan in September 2003, rejecting a move to [[Football League Third Division|Third Division]] team [[Swansea City A.F.C.|Swansea City]] in the process;<ref>{{cite web |last=Lancaster |first=Rob |url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/2275733/posh-turn-to-wood |title=Posh turn to Wood |publisher=[[Sky Sports]] |date=12 September 2003 |access-date=20 May 2021}}</ref> neither loan proved to be successful for Wood.<ref name="WhitwellAthletic"/> During his time at Peterborough, he scored his first goal in English football, scoring in a 2–1 defeat against [[Colchester United F.C.|Colchester United]], described by [[BBC Sport]] as "a stunning 25-yard free kick".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_2/3105958.stm |title=Peterborough 1–2 Colchester |publisher=[[BBC Sport]] |date=20 September 2003 |access-date=23 March 2010}}</ref>

In January 2004, he was loaned out to [[Football League First Division|First Division]] team [[Burnley F.C.|Burnley]], who were struggling in the [[2003–04 Football League First Division|season]],<ref name="LancTelegraph"/> and which was then extended the following month for a further two months;<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/news/5854624.stan-gets-helping-hand/ |title=Stan gets a helping hand |work=[[Lancashire Telegraph]] |date=28 February 2004 |access-date=20 May 2022}}</ref> manager [[Stan Ternent]] expressed his gratitude to United manager [[Alex Ferguson]] for allowing Wood to remain with the club.<ref>{{cite web |last=Goss |first=Patrick |url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/2292438/burnley-keep-wood-lose-duo |title=Burnley keep Wood – lose duo |publisher=[[Sky Sports]] |date=1 March 2004 |access-date=21 May 2022}}</ref> During his time at Burnley, he scored once against [[Norwich City F.C.|Norwich City]] in a 5–3 defeat,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/3567963.stm |title=Burnley 3–5 Norwich |publisher=[[BBC Sport]] |date=3 April 2004 |access-date=23 March 2010}}</ref> opening the scoring at [[Turf Moor]] with a free-kick from just outside the [[penalty area]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Clarke |first=Ron |url=https://www.thetimes.com/sport/football/article/burnley-3-norwich-5-burnley-floored-by-city-slickers-c3qtqmlk03k |title=Burnley 3 Norwich 5: Burnley floored by City slickers |work=[[The Times]] |date=4 April 2004 |access-date=21 May 2022 |url-access=subscription}}</ref> In April, he admitted to the ''[[Lancashire Telegraph]]'' that he had struggled to adapt to the style of football in the lower leagues, but played through a knee injury to try and keep Burnley in the division.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/news/5848758.wood-step-clarets/ |title=Wood to step it up for Clarets |work=[[Lancashire Telegraph]] |date=8 April 2004 |access-date=20 May 2022}}</ref>

===Coventry City, Blackpool and Oldham Athletic===
Wood departed United in the summer of 2004 after 13 years at the club, signing for [[Coventry City F.C.|Coventry City]] on a two-year contract.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.coventrytelegraph.net/sport/football/football-news/wood-ill-make-up-lost-3144920 |title=Wood: I'll make up for lost time |work=[[Coventry Telegraph]] |date=8 July 2004 |access-date=20 May 2022}}</ref> Upon signing, manager [[Peter Reid]] told the ''[[Coventry Telegraph]]'' that Wood reminded him of former [[Everton F.C.|Everton]] teammate [[Kevin Sheedy (Irish footballer)|Kevin Sheedy]], also a left-footed midfielder.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.coventrytelegraph.net/sport/football/football-news/sky-blues-land-united-starlet-3144837 |title=Sky Blues land United starlet |work=[[Coventry Telegraph]] |date=6 July 2004 |access-date=20 May 2022}}</ref> He made his début in a 4–1 [[EFL Cup|League Cup]] first round win against [[Torquay United F.C.|Torquay United]],<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.coventrytelegraph.net/sport/football/football-news/wood-wants-to-bed-down-3144535 |title=Wood wants to bed down |work=[[Coventry Telegraph]] |date=27 August 2004 |access-date=15 January 2023}}</ref> but appearances at his new club were rare,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.coventrytelegraph.net/sport/football/football-news/wood-glad-to-be-back-3139759 |title=Wood glad to be back |work=[[Coventry Telegraph]] |date=22 December 2004 |access-date=20 May 2022}}</ref> and he struggled to avoid picking up injuries and maintaining his fitness.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.coventrytelegraph.net/sport/football/football-news/wood-holds-key-citys-plans-3138311 |title=Wood holds the key to City's plans |work=[[Coventry Telegraph]] |date=14 January 2005 |access-date=20 May 2022}}</ref> Having made just five appearances in the [[2005–06 Coventry City F.C. season|2005–06 season]], Wood departed the club initially on loan to [[Blackpool F.C.|Blackpool]] in January 2006,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.coventrytelegraph.net/sport/football/football-news/neil-has-left-the-building-3128065 |title=Neil has left the building |work=[[Coventry Telegraph]] |date=22 March 2006 |access-date=20 May 2022}}</ref> and in the same month the move was made permanent on a contract until the end of the season.<ref>{{cite web |last=Fudge |first=Simon |url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/2365471/seasiders-snap-up-wood |title=Seasiders snap up Wood |publisher=[[Sky Sports]] |date=31 January 2006 |access-date=20 May 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/b/blackpool/4631046.stm |title=Blackpool boss signs midfield duo |publisher=BBC Sport |date=20 January 2006 |access-date=20 August 2008}}</ref> Wood received a red card for a dangerous tackle on [[Gavin Strachan]] in a fixture against [[Hartlepool United F.C.|Hartlepool United]] on 28 January.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_2/4634390.stm |title=Hartlepool 0-3 Blackpool |publisher=BBC Sport |date=28 January 2006 |access-date=20 May 2022}}</ref>

Later in the same year, he again moved club, signing a two-year contract with [[Oldham Athletic A.F.C.|Oldham Athletic]] following a successful trial period.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/oldham-sign-wood-1036784 |title=Oldham sign Wood |publisher=[[Manchester Evening News]] |date=1 July 2006 |access-date=20 May 2022}}</ref> Upon signing, he criticised Blackpool for offering him a new deal only after pre-season had begun, as well as saying their contract offer was "rubbish".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/wood-feels-welcome-at-boundary-park-1038531 |title=Wood feels welcome at Boundary Park |publisher=[[Manchester Evening News]] |date=1 July 2006 |access-date=20 May 2022}}</ref> After several appearances, Wood suffered a season-ending knee injury in training,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/o/oldham_athletic/6316819.stm |title=Oldham suffer Wood injury agony |publisher=BBC Sport |date=31 January 2007 |access-date=20 August 2008}}</ref> requiring surgery on his [[anterior cruciate ligament]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/unlucky-wood-faces-knee-op-981433 |title=Unlucky Wood faces knee op |publisher=[[Manchester Evening News]] |date=15 February 2007 |access-date=20 May 2022}}</ref> The injury led to his release from the team. Remembering his experience of lower league football in a 2019 interview with ''[[The Athletic]]'', he said that he struggled to adapt and was "sick of the style of player. I wanted to get out",<ref name="WhitwellAthletic"/> while in a 2020 interview with the same publication, he recalled how Oldham manager [[John Sheridan (footballer)|John Sheridan]] had told him that he was "too good to play in a three but couldn't play in a central two", as Sheridan didn't want him to "get on the ball and play", one of his primary attributes, leaving him disillusioned with English football.<ref name="MittenAthletic2020">{{cite web |last=Mitten |first=Andy |url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/2051737/2020/09/11/who-are-manchester-united-next-generation/ |title=Under-23s boss Neil Wood introduces Manchester United's next generation |work=[[The Athletic]] |date=11 September 2020 |access-date=21 May 2022}}</ref>

===Željezničar, departure and retirement===
{{quote box|width=30%|align=right|quote=I just felt I needed a challenge to go to a country where it was more technical and it was really good. It was the first time I'd gone from the normal [[Formation (association football)#4–4–2|4–4–2]] tactics in the lower leagues in England to [[Formation (association football)#4–2–3–1|4–2–3–1]] and [[Formation (association football)#4–3–3|4–3–3]] so it was a new experience for me... It was quite far away and doesn't have that exposure but, football-wise, it was one of my most enjoyable times after I left United. |source=—Wood discussing his move to [[Bosnia and Herzegovina]]<ref name="Introducing">{{cite web |last=Marshall |first=Adam |url=https://www.manutd.com/en/news/detail/introducing-man-utd-u23s-lead-coach-neil-wood-mutv-interview |title=Introducing Man Utd U23s lead coach Neil Wood |publisher=[[Manchester United F.C.]] |date=29 July 2019 |access-date=21 May 2022}}</ref>}}

In February 2008, Wood signed with [[Premier League of Bosnia and Herzegovina]] club [[FK Željezničar Sarajevo|Željezničar]],<ref>{{cite web |url=https://sportsport.ba/fudbal/novi-pocetak-u-zeljeznicaru/108 |title=Novi početak u Željezničaru |trans-title=A new beginning in Željezničar |work=SportSport |date=5 March 2008 |access-date=21 May 2022 |language=BS}}</ref> where he was managed by [[Simo Krunić]], and experienced tactics-based football for the first time since departing United.<ref name="WhitwellAthletic"/><ref name="MittenAthletic2020"/> Wood was released in the summer after only a few appearances,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://sportsport.ba/fudbal/nekadasnji-igrac-zelje-danas-je-skaut-manchester-uniteda/238380 |title=Nekadašnji igrač Želje danas je skaut Manchester Uniteda |trans-title=The former player of Želje is today a scout of Manchester United |work=SportSport |date=25 May 2017 |access-date=21 May 2022 |language=BS}}</ref> requiring a double [[hernia]] operation.<ref name="WhitwellAthletic"/> He was well accepted by the players and fans,<ref name="WhitwellAthletic"/> and became the first Englishman in the league.

Following his release from Željezničar, Wood returned to England and settled down in the [[Tamworth, Staffordshire|Tamworth]] area, where he began training with [[Southern Football League Division One Central]] side [[Atherstone Town F.C.|Atherstone Town]]. In December, Wood signed a deal with the club and was awaiting international clearance before he could make an appearance.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.coventrytelegraph.net/sport/football/football-news/neil-wood-gareth-sheldon-set-3072213 |title=Neil Wood and Gareth Sheldon set to make debuts for Atherstone |work=[[Coventry Telegraph]] |date=24 December 2009 |access-date=21 May 2022}}</ref> After several attempts made to contact Željezničar failed, in January 2010 Wood and the club turned to [[FIFA]] for assistance with the matter.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.coventrytelegraph.net/sport/football/football-news/atherstone-go-fifa-over-neil-3070071 |title=Atherstone go to Fifa over Neil Wood move |work=[[Coventry Telegraph]] |date=13 January 2010 |access-date=21 May 2022}}</ref> In November of that year and having made his debut, Wood scored an equalising goal in a 1–1 draw against [[Rugby Town F.C.|Rugby Town]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.coventrytelegraph.net/sport/football/football-news/toiling-atherstone-aim-give-rivals-3054116 |title=Toiling Atherstone aim to give rivals the Blues |work=[[Coventry Telegraph]] |date=19 November 2010 |access-date=21 May 2022}}</ref>

==Management career==
===Academy coaching===
Following his retirement, Wood began observing coaching sessions with [[Aston Villa F.C.|Aston Villa]], advancing to taking on coaching responsibilities at various youth levels in their [[Aston Villa F.C. Under-23s and Academy|academy]].<ref name="MittenAthletic">{{cite web |last=Mitten |first=Andy |url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/4176944/2022/05/18/manchester-united-neil-wood-set-to-leave-under-23-role-for-salford-job/ |title=Manchester United: Neil Wood set to leave Under-23 role for Salford job |publisher=[[The Athletic]] |date=19 May 2022 |access-date=21 May 2022}}</ref> Wood initially undertook the role without a wage, taking his coaching badges simultaneously.<ref name="MittenGQ">{{cite web |last=Mitten |first=Andy |url=https://www.gq-magazine.co.uk/sport/article/manchester-united-u23-2021 |title=Manchester United's resurgent U23 team is proof the club takes youth seriously again |publisher=[[GQ]] |date=12 February 2021 |access-date=15 January 2023}}</ref> Villa offered him part-time and full-time roles,<ref name="MittenGQ"/> but he eventually returned to his hometown of [[Manchester]] in 2014, where he worked at the [[Manchester United F.C. Under-21s and Academy|Manchester United academy]] from under-15 through to under-23 level.<ref name="MittenAthletic"/> He was promoted by the club to the position of under-23 manager in 2019, with former United player [[Quinton Fortune]] assisting him in the role,<ref>{{cite web |last=Mathews |first=Max |url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11667/11756637/man-utd-appoint-neil-wood-and-quinton-fortune-as-u23-coaches-and-give-nicky-butt-bigger-role |title=Man Utd appoint Neil Wood and Quinton Fortune as U23 coaches and give Nicky Butt bigger role |publisher=[[Sky Sports]] |date=4 July 2019 |access-date=21 May 2022}}</ref> and in his first year in the role, Wood guided the team to promotion back to the [[Professional Development League#Premier League 2|Premier League 2]].<ref name="MittenAthletic2020"/> In the [[2021–22 UEFA Youth League|2021–22]] season of the [[UEFA Youth League]], Wood guided United to the [[2021–22 UEFA Youth League knockout phase#Round of 16|last 16]], where they were defeated on penalties by [[Borussia Dortmund Youth Sector|Borussia Dortmund]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Railston |first=Steve |url=https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/man-united-uefa-youth-league-23257577 |title=Manchester United youngsters learn cruel penalty lesson with Borussia Dortmund defeat |publisher=[[Manchester Evening News]] |date=2 March 2022 |access-date=25 May 2022}}</ref> In his time as lead coach of the under-23s at Old Trafford, 17 academy players have made first-team debuts for the club.

===Salford City===
In May 2022 he was appointed as manager of [[Salford City F.C.|Salford City]], replacing [[Gary Bowyer]],<ref>{{cite news |title=Neil Wood: Salford City appoint Man Utd U23s coach as new boss |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/61529960 |date=20 May 2022 |access-date=20 May 2022 |publisher=BBC Sport}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Railston |first=Steve |url=https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/neil-wood-manchester-united-salford-24020125 |title=Neil Wood leaves Manchester United U23s to become Salford City manager |date=20 May 2022 |access-date=22 May 2022 |work=[[Manchester Evening News]]}}</ref> and made his first signing the following month, bringing in Scottish striker [[Callum Hendry]] on a free transfer following his release by [[Scottish Premiership]] team [[St Johnstone F.C.|St Johnstone]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/61844892 |title=Salford sign Hendry after St Johnstone exit |publisher=[[BBC Sport]] |date=17 June 2022 |access-date=17 June 2022}}</ref> Wood guided Salford to a 2–0 win against [[Mansfield Town F.C.|Mansfield Town]] in his first game in charge on the opening day of the [[2022–23 Salford City F.C. season|2022–23 season]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11750/12660471/salford-2-0-mansfield-city-off-to-opening-day-win |title=Salford 2-0 Mansfield: City off to opening-day win |publisher=[[Sky Sports]] |date=30 July 2022 |access-date=18 August 2022}}</ref> At the conclusion of the [[2022–23 EFL League Two|league season]], Wood led Salford to the [[English Football League play-offs|EFL play-offs]] for the first time, [[2023 English Football League play-offs|drawing 2–2 on aggregate]] with [[Stockport County F.C.|Stockport County]] before losing 3–1 in the resulting penalty shootout.<ref>{{cite web |last=Warner |first=Harry |url=https://www.salfordnow.co.uk/2023/05/23/my-expectation-is-we-come-back-stronger-next-season-neil-wood-reacts-to-salfords-play-off-lose-to-stockport/ |title="My expectation is we come back stronger next season" – Neil Wood reacts to Salford's play-off loss to Stockport |work=Salford Now |date=23 May 2023 |access-date=10 October 2023}}</ref>

At the beginning of the [[2023–24 Salford City F.C. season|2023–24 season]], Salford and Wood endured five league defeats in a row, a record for the club since promotion to the EFL in 2019.<ref>{{cite web |last=Lyons |first=John |url=https://www.theleaguepaper.com/latest-news/football-league-division-two/401200/its-been-tough-worked-hard-to-turn-tide/ |title='It's been tough but we have worked hard to turn tide' - Neil Wood on Salford's stuttering start |work=The Football League Paper |date=8 October 2023 |access-date=10 October 2023}}</ref> On 27 December 2023, Wood was sacked by Salford following a 5–1 home defeat to [[Tranmere Rovers F.C.|Tranmere Rovers]] the previous day, which extended their winless run in the league to eight games and left Salford in 21st place in League Two.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/67816050 |title=Neil Wood: Salford City part company with head coach after winless run |website=BBC Sport |date=27 December 2023 |access-date=27 December 2023}}</ref>

==Managerial statistics==
{{updated|match played 26 December 2023}}<ref>{{Soccerbase manager|5224}}</ref>

{| class=wikitable style="text-align: center"
|+
|-
!rowspan=2|Team
!rowspan=2|From
!rowspan=2|To
!colspan=5|Record
|-
!{{abbr|P|Matches played}}!!{{abbr|W|Matches won}}!!{{abbr|D|Matches drawn}}!!{{abbr|L|Matches lost}}!!{{abbr|Win %|Win percentage}}
|-
| align="left" |[[Salford City F.C.|Salford City]]
| align="left" |20 May 2022
| align="left" |27 December 2023
{{WDL|88|33|21|34|decimals=1}}
|-
|-
!colspan=3|Total
{{WDLtot|88|33|21|34|decimals=1}}
|}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*{{Soccerbase}}
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20050906215542/http://www.manutd.com/bio/bio.sps?iBiographyId=1642 Neil Wood] at ManUtd.com

{{Navboxes
| title = Managerial positions
| list1 = 
{{Salford City F.C. managers}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Wood, Neil}}
[[Category:1983 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:English men's footballers]]
[[Category:English expatriate men's footballers]]
[[Category:Manchester United F.C. players]]
[[Category:Peterborough United F.C. players]]
[[Category:Royal Antwerp F.C. players]]
[[Category:Belgian Pro League players]]
[[Category:Premier League of Bosnia and Herzegovina players]]
[[Category:Burnley F.C. players]]
[[Category:Coventry City F.C. players]]
[[Category:Blackpool F.C. players]]
[[Category:Oldham Athletic A.F.C. players]]
[[Category:FK Željezničar Sarajevo players]]
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[[Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Belgium]]
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[[Category:Footballers from Manchester]]
[[Category:Men's association football midfielders]]
[[Category:Salford City F.C. managers]]
[[Category:English football managers]]
[[Category:Manchester United F.C. non-playing staff]]
[[Category:Aston Villa F.C. non-playing staff]]
[[Category:English expatriate sportspeople in Belgium]]
[[Category:English expatriate sportspeople in Bosnia and Herzegovina]]
[[Category:English Football League managers]]
[[Category:English Football League players]]
[[Category:21st-century English sportsmen]]