“I’ve been sitting in a TV studio for the last years talking about coaches, now I have to stand up”, he said explaining his decision to swap a studio for the stadium.
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“If I’d turned down this job is to have said goodbye to my credibility”.
Valencia’s president Chan Lay Hoon said the club is delighted with the arrival of Neville. “I understand that I have to show Valencia fans that I’m capable of doing this job”. The atmosphere and intimidation is something I want to harness.
Flores, who played nearly 300 times for the Mestalla club, added: “I love Valencia”.
“Every coach wants to play attacking football and therefore entertain people”.
“Spanish is my biggest challenge, I don’t speak the language, it wasn’t in the plan”, he said.
“I hope that Gary is able to recuperate the harmony between the fans and the club, and that they can improve a lot”.
“Roy was incredibly supportive, positive and enthusiastic for me”, he said. “The professional way we have worked over the last 25 years as players and now as coaches is not a problem”.
“It’s important to pick the right team irrespective of style”.
“We all have dreams but the only way you get there is focusing on the individual bits one at a time”.
Short-term or long-term future at Valencia?
“It’s the only way I can think”.
“He is highly-respected and is not just here to be a local guy, he’s here to be an important part of the club’s coaching staff in the coming months”.
“I’ll appoint from within, I won’t bring over an army of coaches”.
My family will move here.
“My family will move over here permanently, my girls will finish school in Manchester in two weeks’ time and will move to Valencia with my wife”.
Valencia qualified for the Champions League previous year, but this season they have found things more hard. When I was at Manchester United, I wanted footballers from overseas to show commitment to the club and to the way of life. I have spoken to him in the last few days.
He said: “I didn’t consult Sir Alex over the decision”. If he had advice for me, it would be ignorant of me to not take that on board.
Given the fact that the English man speaks no Spanish he is keen to learn but says that he will have to find a Spanish teacher willing to get up at 6AM in order to give him lessons.
“I’m aware of the traditions here at Valencia – I’ve played out here a few times against some fantastic wingers”.
The former Red Devils captain has been put in charge of the Spanish side until the end of the season and he has admitted that his experience playing under Ferguson would be “invaluable” in his first role at the helm of a club. I need to convince the doubters, I understand why people will ask these questions but I have to provide the answers on the pitch. “I’m not going to shy away form the direct approach I had on television”. “Sir Bobby Robson, Roy Hodgson, Terry Venables”, Neville argued. We had a good conversation and he offered encouragement and support. He understood completely the opportunity for myself and was supportive 100 per cent.
The new manager said: “If Phil wasn’t here, I would want him here”.
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“Everyone’s understanding is Valencia are my priority other than the two games in March”.
