Neil's primary role at the Club was as senior youth coach, managing the Under 20's team, a job which he injected with great enthusiasm and hard work. Under Neil's guidance several youth players progressed to fist team football, not only at Pittodrie but with other UK clubs.
When manager Mark McGhee was dismissed from the fist team job, Neal, along with Neil Simpson, was asked to take charge of the first team for a match at Tynecastle before Craig Brown and Archie Knox took over.