Manchester United to keep close eye on Valencia boss

The 40-year-old was this week installed as the head coach of Spanish giants Valencia, his first management role after spells as a pundit at Sky Sports and Roy Hodgson’s England assistant.

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.

Given the volatile situation at Valencia at the moment as well as the potential cultural shock for Neville though, there is no doubting the fact that the former Manchester United star has a huge task in front of him at the Mestalla.

It is the new man’s first role managing a club, but he has been honing his skills as part of the English national squad’s coaching staff.

PAUL Clement has backed Gary Neville to do well in his new job as head coach of Spanish club Valencia.

Clement applauds Neville’s decision to take up the challenge of working in another country. I have to pick up key phrases as early as possible.

Neville’s arrival is seen to represent a fresh start, but his links to Lim will surely be scrutinized if fortunes on the pitch do not improve.

“I understand from playing here at this very stadium years ago the passion and the pride of the fans”. I don’t know. He has his brother Phil there but it is not the same if someone has to translate for you.

“We want to continue our winning spirit”, the 28-year-old said ahead of Saturday’s match.

Gary Neville was keen to move out of Sir Alex Ferguson’s shadow when he was unveiled as Valencia boss.

“We weren’t rewarded for all the effort we put in, but Valencia defensively played very well”.

Neville may have only initially joined until the summer but, after revealing his family will make the move to join him in Spain, he said he only knows one way to go about a job.

Neville will be assisted by his younger brother Phil and former Valencia player Miguel Angel Angulo and will rely on them for help with the language.

Speaking to Omnisport, the Australian worldwide said: “I have a lot of respect for him as a player and now I’m looking forward to having him as my coach”.

Barca squandered a host of chances in the first half, with Lionel Messi uncharacteristically wayward, but Luis Enrique said he was pleased with the team’s overall performance against what he called one of the best teams in the Spanish top flight.