Valencia coach Gary Neville backed to succeed by Sir Alex Ferguson

New Valencia coach Gary Neville has said that the challenge of managing the La Liga side was so enticing that he could not afford to turn it down.

However, the contract is valid for only 6 months and the chances are that Neville might not be coaching after the season is high.

He will not be involved for the weekend’s league meeting with Barcelona but will take charge for the pivotal Champions League clash with Lyon next week.

“I have a villa 45, 50, 60 minutes from there and I’ve been to watch them play in their own stadium, and while it’s a pretty old, run-down stadium, the atmosphere is fantastic”.

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.

“I talked to him afterwards and he gave me words of encouragement”.

“I have to prove myself, I have to show that people should not think I am a risky appointment”. I wish him all the best for what is a hard job.

He said: “I’ve been offered jobs in football over these last four to five years”.

Neville, who confirmed brother Phil and former Valencia player Miguel Angel Angulo as his coaches, is determined to make the most of his short-term role.

“From a long-term perspective I would never look at that or future jobs”, he insisted.

“When I arrived in Valencia, they didn’t win anything in 25 years”. “But when I received the call on Sunday evening, I thought, ‘What a football club, what an opportunity, what a challenge.’ Sitting on television talking about coaches for the last few years, the time has come for me to stand up”.

It will be a family affair in Spain – younger brother Phil is also part of the set-up at Valencia – but the blame will likely fall squarely on Neville’s shoulders if he fails.

The new manager said: “If Phil wasn’t here, I would want him here”.

The former right-back will remain a part of the England set up as assistant coach to Roy Hodgson – a role he has held since 2012. “Yes show them respect but go and show them what a good side we can be”.

“We have two games in March in the worldwide break and I want to complete the job through to the European Championship”.

English coaches are not renown for achieving great success overseas but Neville believes there are positive examples he can follow, adding: “Sir Bobby Robson, Roy Hodgson and Terry Venables have all achieved success overseas”. I will promote from within and I’m not interested in bringing over an army of coaches.

“I understand my responsibility is to appraise the players as quickly as possible and pick the right system that gets us winning matches right away, irrespective of style”.