Valencia appoints Neville as coach until end of season

Phil Neville has spoken of his excitement at the news of brother Gary taking over as head coach at Spanish side Valencia. “It’s the right moment in time for him and I’m 100% behind his decision to join Valencia as the new head coach”, Hodgson said. It is a massive club with prestige which I remember well from my time as a player.

The BBC reports that Gary will continue in his role as an assistant coach to England worldwide manager, Roy Hodgson, although he will leave his other high-profile job as a pundit on Sky TV’s coverage of the Barclays Premier League. “He is greatly respected in the English football and have been these qualities that have convinced us that it is the right choice to lead the team until the end of season”.

“That’s the reason Phil Neville was able to make such a significant leap in his career by moving to Valencia as assistant coach”.

Although Valencia play their next game against Barcelona at the Mestalla Stadium on Saturday, 5 December, Neville will only take charge of the first team the next day.

Two-time Champions League victor Gary Neville will make his managerial bow in a decisive Champions League clash against Lyon next week, whilst his first taste of Spanish football will come the following weekend against Eibar.

Neville will hold a press conference in Valencia tomorrow and faces a baptism of fire after succeeding Nuno, who resigned on Sunday night.

“Sky has probably been one of the best decisions I have ever made, simply an incredible job that I have loved doing”, Neville told Sky Sports.

“We are delighted to have secured Gary so quickly”, said Valencia chairwoman Layhoon Chan in the club statement.

Brother Phil Neville had been tipped as a potential long-term successor to Nuno Espirito Santo, who left the club earlier this week following a defeat to Sevilla on Sunday. Gary’s commitment to The FA’s preparations for Euro 2016 will not be in any way affected by the fact that he will be coaching overseas during the next five months. No. But they will know Gary Neville intimately, without any question, and he will be respected for his career as a player, as assistant coach at England and for his work at Sky.