Gary Neville unveiled as Valencia coach

In his first press conference as Valencia manager, Neville said, “I’ve not spoken about that”.

Manchester United are to keep close tabs on Gary Neville’s performance as Valencia’s head coach as they piece together a succession plan for when Louis van Gaal steps down.

The surprise appointment marks Neville’s first foray into management after Valencia parted company with Nuno Espirito Santo following Sunday’s 1-0 defeat to Sevilla.

Neville has been named as Valencia’s head coach until the end of the season.

“I’ve been offered jobs in football over the last four to five years – but the timing never felt right”, he said. I said: ‘Be yourself, trust your conviction which you’ve done throughout your playing career.

“Peter and I have known Gary for many years and we see something very special in him”, added the Singaporean.

“It’s been a concern for me in some respects”, Pulis admitted. I wish him all the best for what is a hard job.

Long earmarked as a future manager, he revealed yesterday that he had resisted previous opportunities to enter the profession but insisted he could not resist a club of Valencia’s stature. My responsibility is to appraise the players and pick the best style of play that wins matches.

He said: “Spanish is going to be my biggest challenge as I don’t speak the language. I can’t find a teacher at the moment who gets up at 6am every day so if you know someone then let me know.”

“My family will move over to Valencia”.

“Philip’s Spanish, in terms of communicating with the players, is fantastic, and that’s what I want to get to as well”.

“I would question it as a neutral observer and would be sceptical, wanting to be proven otherwise”.

Moyes, who managed Everton and Manchester United before moving to San Sebastian in 2014, won just twice in the opening 11 La Liga games of the 2015-16 season, prompting his removal.

Gary Neville, one of the most charismatic players in the history of England, expressed his happiness after the agreement.

“We have not talked about new players”.

“I spoke to him, he came to my house”. He understood completely the opportunity for myself and was supportive 100 per cent.