Gary Neville has already been tipped for a permanent spot on the Dragon's Den judging panel ahead of a guest appearance on the BBC show.
The Manchester United star will appear as a guest investor in an episode airing in the new year and has already impressed bosses.
With millions already invested in real estate and a huge fan base thanks to his athletic skills and expertise, Gary impressed series veteran Deborah Meaden.
Speaking to The Sun, Deborah said: “You'd think he'd been a dragon all his life.” He instinctively asked the right questions.
“He's got a really good business brain.” “He's been fantastic, I'm not kidding, and he's willing to invest.”
Gary Neville has already been tipped for a permanent spot on the Dragon's Den judging panel ahead of a guest appearance on the BBC show
Neville, who played over 600 times for Man United and won 85 caps for England, will appear alongside regulars Peter Jones, Deborah Meaden, Touker Suleyman, Sara Davies and Steven Bartlett.
Despite several business ventures ranging from being part owner of League Two club Salford City with his former teammates to his luxury hotels in Manchester, some have questioned whether the Red Devil has what it takes to become a Dragon.
Some fans couldn't help but be annoyed by Man United's takeover problems – something Neville himself has been extremely vocal about. The unpopular Glazer family, who own Man United, were expected to sell the club but after almost a year of discussions it looks like Sir Jim Ratcliffe will only take a 25 per cent stake.
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Longtime judge Deborah Meaden praised Neville on his first appearance, posting: “First year at @BBCDragonsden when we have a few guest dragons… first @GNev2 who was absolutely brilliant and owned that chair!!”
Neville responded to her heartfelt tweet, writing: “Thank you Deborah. 'I loved it and can't thank you and all the dragons enough for welcoming me.'
Since retiring from football in 2011, Gary has built a huge property development portfolio that brings him tens of millions a year.
His biggest ventures include Hotel Football, a luxury hotel overlooking Old Trafford, and the Stock Exchange Hotel near Piccadilly Gardens, one of Manchester's top hotels, alongside his former teammate Ryan Giggs.
The Manchester United star will appear as a guest investor in an episode airing in the new year and has already impressed his bosses (pictured on Sky Sports last week).
However, not everything was so easy for the ex-footballer. The new restaurant at its Stock Exchange Hotel closed just four months after opening in July.
And he also faced setbacks when it was claimed one of his high-end Manchester hotels had lost £3.2m due to the pandemic and owed “£10m in loans”.
Neville has also previously appeared in advertising for minimum wage workers at one of his luxury hotels, where a suite can charge more than £800 a night.
In a preview of Neville's first appearance as a referee, the former United captain wore a smart navy suit jacket and charcoal black trousers.
The BBC has not yet announced when the season will air in 2024, but Meaden hinted it will be “early in the new year”.
The show, which first aired on BBC Two in 2005, offers aspiring entrepreneurs the opportunity to pitch their ideas to some of Britain's most successful businesspeople.
Speaking about the opportunity, Neville said: “It’s a pleasure to join the Dragons as a guest on the new series and see some of the great pitches from budding entrepreneurs from different walks of life.”
“It has been a privilege to share my knowledge and guidance with the brave entrepreneurs who have entered the cave, but you will have to wait and see if I have committed to any investments!”
