“Valencia are a big club with a terrific, historic stadium”. His passion, his will to win and determination were traits I recognised in myself.
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Valencia chair Layhoon Chan, meanwhile, rejected suggestions that Neville had been appointed because of his close links with Singaporean billionaire Lim, with whom he co-owns non-league Salford City.
“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”.
Is it a “risky appointment”?
New Valencia coach Gary Neville will be a mere spectator as his side face the daunting task of halting European champions Barcelona’s free-scoring form on Saturday.
Neville’s first match in charge will come next Wednesday when Valencia host Lyon in the Champions League.
“I think we’ve all seen inexperienced coaches succeed and experienced coaches fail”.
Neville will juggle his new job with his coaching role at England.
“I’m not going to insult Valencia by telling them I’m coming over here and playing football like Manchester United”.
It will be a massive test for Valencia, who sit ninth after seeing previous coach Nuno Espirito Santo resign last week.
Neville must be prepared for high expectations from supporters, as well as the potential for disputes within his squad, according to the 50-year-old Spaniard.
“I will be making long term decisions”.
“I’ll appoint from within, I won’t bring over an army of coaches”.
What would Neville the pundit think?
Valencia goalkeeper Mathew Ryan is looking forward to the opportunity of working under new head coach Gary Neville.
Asked what he would have said had he been sitting in the Sky TV studio witnessing a man like him taking such a position, Neville admitted: “I would question it as a neutral observer”. “I have to pick up some key phrases as early as possible and learn as quickly as possible”, he said.
“There is no element of negativity at all”.
Seriously, we never thought we’d see the day Gary praised an Arsenal player.
Why swap the studio for the bench now?
The move represents Neville’s first steps into management as a head coach, although he is part of England’s backroom staff, and will continue in this role. It was frustrating to be kept out of matches with an injury for the first time of my senior career, but I really enjoy being back.
“Obviously I have a lot of interests back home but I’m fully focused on this challenge in front of me”. This a is wonderful football club. I’m precious what I associate myself with.
“I’d be stupid not to accept that. I just told them I’m here to give my all and to give my best and I expect the same from them really”.
“There are many English speakers in the dressing room and among the staff. He’ll get a lot of support”.
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“I didn’t consult Sir Alex but I did speak to him”.
