Watford boss Quique Sanchez Flores, who both played for and managed Valencia, has stressed the key to Neville’s chances of succeeding will be his attributes as a manager, with the fact he has not been a part of a Spanish club before not necessarily important.
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Neville will join his brother Phil, an assistant coach, as the business partners of Valencia owner Peter Lim look to put the club back on track after a disappointing run domestically and in Europe. When asked about who his favourite player was to coach, Neville stressed on the fact that he enjoys coaching Wilshere because “he’s a challenge”. “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”.
“I would be skeptical and want to be proven otherwise”.
“But I have confidence in myself and my understanding of the game and my belief is strong”.
“I’ve been offered jobs in football over the last four to five years – but the timing never felt right”, he said. “I know the passion and intimidation from the fans from playing here in the past and I want to harness that in the coming months”. “My responsibility is to appraise the players as quickly as possible and pick the best system that allows us to win straight away”.
“It’s a little bit of a drain on British managers so it’s lovely to see Gary get out of broadcasting, dip his toe in it and I really hope he does well”.
“Every decision I make will not be a short-term decision”.
Like brother Phil, the England coach plans to dive into the culture.
Ranieri, now manager of Barclays Premier League high-fliers Leicester, had two stints in charge of Valencia from 1997 to 1999 and 2004 to 2005. My girls finish school in Manchester in two weeks and will move over to Valencia with my wife then.
Neville has been working as a television pundit since 2011 and admitted, in that role, he would question the appointment of a foreign managerial novice who did not speak the language in his new country. I will take lessons every day.
Indeed, Valencia hadn’t had an open training session for almost a year and the news was warmly welcomed by fans on social media.
Neville opened the conference by requesting tutors who can help him learn Spanish.
Indeed, former Valencia vice-president Miguel Zorio launched a failed legal bid against Lim, Mendes and ex-club president Amadeo Salvo claiming they had used the club’s money in transfer and agents fees to fund Lim’s investment in Valencia.
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Neville is Valencia’s sixth manager since Unai Emery left in 2012.
