Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino comments on Gary Neville’s Valencia appointment

Former England full-back Neville spent his entire career at Old Trafford and, having become an acclaimed pundit and key coach in the national team set-up, is now taking his first steps in management with the Spanish side.

Neville did not hesitate in getting down to business as he greeted the players and held his press conference within nearly 24 hours of being announced as Valencia’s new boss.

Newly appointed Valencia manager Gary Neville says he’s out to prove what he can do as a coach, yet knows he has a hard task at hand. Interim coach Salvador Gonzalez, with Gary’s brother Phil Neville as his assistant, will oversee Saturday’s clash against league leaders Barcelona.

“I’ve been offered jobs in football over the last four to five years – but the timing never felt right”, he said.

“When I received the call on Sunday evening I thought “what a football club” and “what a challenge”. This is a wonderful club.

Valencia president Chan Lay Hoon welcomed the new coach in a statement.

“Of course I would question it as a neutral observer”.

“I understand I have to prove myself to the Valencia fans and the players”.

“I don’t see any problems with that: if Phil wasn’t here, I’d want him here”.

Both Nevilles are well known to Valencia’s Singaporean owner, Peter Lim, due to their shared investment in nonleague English side Salford City along with other Manchester United legends Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes and Nicky Butt.

“The only way to approach it is as a permanent job, even though the contract is only until June”, he said.

“With me, there was a good discussion because every time I said, ‘OK, you take the ball for 60 per cent and shoot at goal for three times and cross the ball eight times”.

Neville also wanted to send a message to the potential of the team, “I’m looking forward to working with them, I know it’s a group of very talented players”.

Flores admits there is a lot for the former Manchester United defender to take on and encouraged Neville to accept the cultural differences in order to settle overseas.

He replaces Nuno Espirito Santo, who resigned after last weekend’s defeat to Sevilla, a result that has left the club ninth in La Liga.

Neville has very little time to settle in.

Neville’s first game is a must-win home fixture against Lyon in the Champions League on Wednesday.

Valencia’s fans are among the most demanding in Spain, nostalgic for the league trophies won under Rafa Benitez more than 10 years ago. We don’t do niceties, we talk about actions.

“We are delighted to have been able to have Gary as quickly”.

“Phil told us some ideas that he has but we have to wait a few days. We haven’t got a pre-season”.