His first match will be a UEFA Champions League game against Ligue 1 club Lyon on Wednesday, 9 December, also at Mestalla.
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Valencia is owned by Peter Lim, who holds a stake in English non-league team Salford City alongside the Nevilles and other former Manchester United players. It is a huge club, of vast prestige and I remember well from my time as a player, the passion and the loyalty of their fans.
Sky Sports managing director Barney Francis has said the “door will always be open” to Gary Neville following his decision to leave his duties with the broadcaster in order to become the head coach at Valencia until the end of the season.
Valencia, who were champions in 2002 and 2004 under Rafael Benitez, now have 19 points in La Liga, five points off the Champions League places and 14 adrift of leaders Barcelona.
The elder Neville will be formally unveiled at a press conference tomorrow but has released a statement expressing his excitement for the new job.
Sky Sports told The Guardian that Neville was leaving with their blessing and that he remained “a friend” of the broadcaster.
“I’m looking forward to working with the players”.
“I’m very excited and I feel proud to have received this great opportunity from Valencia”, he said.
Spanish football expert Graham Hunter has praised Phil Neville for paving the way for his brother Gary’s appointment as the new manager of Valencia.
England manager Roy Hodgson has praised Neville’s decision to start his managerial career overseas.
Neville will be part of the England coach staff during Euro 2016 in France next summer.
His assistant manager will be his brother Phil who has been running the team since Nuno resigned.
“I’m delighted that Gary has made a decision to take this excellent opportunity”, he said. “I think he’ll do well and I wish him, and his brother Phil [current Valencia assistant coach], good luck”.
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Voro said he had spoken to the squad to make sure they knew the challenge they would face in Wednesday’s game against the Basque team – who are now leading their Segunda B division just ahead of the Madrid Castilla reserve side coached by Zinedine Zidane.
