The work of agents in football has been a source of contention for some time, with many arguing they charge excessive fees when negotiating their clients' contracts and also try to unsettle players by encouraging them to make transfer requests so they can make yet more money.

"I'd like to see the removal of agents from the game - make players not so reliant on them," Neville told Sky Sports.

"We've got the PFA (Professional Footballers Association, the 'union' for English footballers) and they want to give, not take," he added.

Asked if there were any good agents at all within football, the England right-back replied: "I don't know many. There is a concern for me, and it always has been.

"One guy can go in (to a deal) and expect to be giving hundreds of thousands or, in this day and age, even millions (to an agent) - and that money is going out of the game.

"The clubs should keep that money - or, if they're earning it, the players."

Neville said the change he wanted would only come about if players took greater control of their own affairs.

"It won't change until players become more responsible for their actions," Neville said. "They think they need them (agents) - but it's not the case.

"They need good advice and good accountants - but they don't need people taking hundreds of thousands off them."

Gordon Taylor, the PFA chief executive, gave qualified support to Neville's position.

"Gary always speaks his mind. He speaks as he finds - and he is entitled to his opinion.

"It's one of the reasons why the PFA have always been keen to make clear to our members that we've the best experience in the world - and we're happy to help them all with contracts and negotiations.

"That's what we're about - but having said that, there are a number of players who have agents we work with on different issues."

However, Taylor agreed with Neville's view that some agents do not always act in the best interests of those they represent.

"I worry they trawl their nets too wide sometimes for youngsters in the hope they can pick one up - and then don't give enough care.

"Of the 600 youngsters who enter the game at 16, five out of six will be out of it by the time they are 21.

"So I'll be interested to see how many agents help young players to get through university, or job re-training, or look after their operations in later years," Taylor added.

"Obviously there are players who need a 24-hour service, and that is not always possible for us to provide - because we do have 4,000 members.

"But certainly that side of affairs is developing and building up (within the PFA)."