“I understand, from playing against Valencia, the passion and intimidation of the fans and I want to recreate and harness that”, he said.
Advertisement
“The only way to approach a football job will be as if it’s a permanent job, I don’t believe you can make short-term decisions, I don’t believe in working that way”. He has been fearless to accept the challenge in Spain but it will help that he knows the owner, Peter Lim, and his brother, Phil, has been working there for the last four months.
“To add to that, my family will move over here permanently”, he continued.
Gary Neville has been appointed as coach of Spanish league club Valencia for the rest of this season after Nuno Espirito Santo left by mutual agreement. This is a wonderful football club. “If I’d have turned down this job, I could have said goodbye to credibility in football because it’s a massive club and I’m honoured and proud to be here. We don’t do niceties and we talk about actions and what we’re going to do”.
Gary Neville was keen to move out of Sir Alex Ferguson’s shadow when he was unveiled as Valencia boss.
“I understand the huge responsibilities I’ve been given and have accepted”, the former Manchester United defender said. “When I was in Manchester I wanted footballers from overseas to show commitment to the club and the way of life so I have done that even though the contract is only for six months”.’They love the players, but every time there is like internal fighting and this is disturbing the work of everyone inside the club’. “I have to pick up some key phrases as early as possible and learn as quickly as possible”, he said.
Neville, who visited Valencia’s training grounds with club president Layhoon Chan before his presentation, has the support of his new players.
“From my point of view, I wanted to continue to complete my job through to Euro 2016 and everyone is completely understanding that Valencia will be my priority 95 per cent of the time”.
“Obviously, I have a lot of interests but they are parked”. My input, in that sense, is minimal.
“I didn’t consult Sir Alex over the decision”. But I have confidence in myself and my belief is strong. “But I have spoken to him in the last few days and he has offered words of encouragement”. I will take lessons every day.
Neville is certainly a man who is set about being a success in his first venture into management.
Valencia are ninth in La Liga and Neville’s first game in charge is their must-win Champions League clash against Lyon on Wednesday.
With his pundit hat back on he admits he has plenty to prove when he first takes charge of the side.
Neville was also asked what Gary Neville the pundit would think of an inexperienced Spanish manager getting a top English job and responded, “I’d be sceptical”.
Advertisement
But as he has never managed before, played or worked in Spain and doesn’t speak Spanish his job to win over a volatile and fickle Valencia faithful could prove hard.
