Wednesday 2 December 2015

Gary Neville New Valencia Coach


Gary Neville has been appointed the new head coach of Valencia until the end of the season.

Neville has been working as an England coach and as an award-winning analyst for Sky Sports since retiring as a player in 2011 but now takes up his first managerial role.

The former Manchester United captain - whose brother Phil was named co-caretaker following Nuno's decision last week to step down as boss - has agreed a five-month contract and will continue his role in Roy Hodgson's set-up.

Neville will be unveiled to the media on Thursday afternoon (3pm, UK time) and take charge on Sunday ahead of Valencia's Champions League game against Lyon on Wednesday.

"I am absolutely thrilled to be given this opportunity with Valencia," Neville told the club's official website. 

"Valencia are a huge football club of immense standing and I know from my time as a player the passion and dedication of the Valencia fans.

"I am really looking forward to working with the club's talented group of players and am excited about the challenge ahead."

Neville is one of the most decorated English footballers of all time, having won 20 trophies including eight Premier League titles and two Champions League crowns.

He spent his entire playing career at Old Trafford - making more than 600 appearances - and won 85 England caps.

England boss Hodgson had tipped the former defender, whose international career spanned more than a decade, to eventually make the move into management.

"He'll become a very fine manager in time," Hodgson, speaking earlier this year, said.

"I think he's a very good coach now. He'll become an even better coach with experience. He'll enjoy working with players. I think players will enjoy working with him.

"He'd be a loss to England."

The Nevilles have a connection to the Spanish side through owner Peter Lim, the Singaporean businessman who bought a stake in Salford City from the brothers and their former Manchester United team-mates Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes and Nicky Butt.

Phil Neville, whose role is yet to be confirmed, left his own job as a pundit in June to join the coaching staff at the Mestalla.

Valencia remain in contention for the Champions League knockout stages but have struggled in the league this term, winning just five of 11 games after last season's fourth-placed finish.

Their next La Liga match is at home to champions Barcelona on Saturday and Phil Neville will take charge of that game along with co-caretaker Voro.


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