Gary Neville unveiling at Valencia: 'The time had come for me to stand up', says Manchester United legend

The pundit has taken his first full-time coaching role

Gary Neville in Valencia (GETTY IMAGES)

Gary Neville says "the time had come for me to stand up" at his unveiling as the new manager of Valencia.

The Manchester United legend shocked the world of football yesterday when it was announced that he had accepted an offer to become the new manager of the Spanish side.

Speaking today ahead of officially starting on Sunday, the former defender explained why he felt this particular offer was too good to turn down.

“I think I’ve been offered jobs in football over the last four or five years but timing hadn’t felt right and I wanted to learn.

“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 these last few years, the time had come for me to stand up.”

Neville has been appointed on a contract until the end of the season, which raised questions over his and the club's long-term plans. However, the 40-year-old has confirmed he is treating the position as if it is for the long term.

“The only way to approach a football job will be as if it’s a permanent job,” he said.

“I don’t believe you can make short-term decisions, I don’t believe in working that way.”

He will help display that by moving to Spain on a permanent basis.

“My family will move over here permanently.

“My girls finish school in Manchester in two weeks and move over to Valencia.

“When I was in Manchester I wanted footballers from abroad to show commitment to the club and the way of life so I have done that even though the contract is only for six months.”

Neville's decision to take the role means he has ended his association with Sky Sports, for whom he's worked as a pundit since retiring from playing for Manchester United. However, his position as assistant England manager continues. Neville explained that England manager Roy Hodgson has been highly supportive of the move.

“In terms of the FA and the England football team, when I spoke to Roy (Hodgson) he was incredibly supportive and he understood completely the opportunity for myself.

“He was behind me 100 per cent, we have the two games in March during the international break so from my point of view, I wanted to complete my job through to the European Championships but I want people to know that Valencia is my priority 95-99 per cent of the time.”

There has been speculation that he may look to bring in some of his former Manchester United pals, alongside his brother Phil who was already at the club, although Neville appears to have ruled out the likes of Paul Scholes and Nicky Butt making the move to Spain.

“We will appoint people from within," he said.

“I believe in promoting the growth of this football club and won’t be bringing over an army of coaches.”

He is delighted to have his younger brother at the club however.

“If Phil wasn’t here I would want him here.

“He’s diligent, hard-working and form my point of view I’m delighted he’s part of the coaching set-up. We don’t do niceties and we talk about actions and what we’re going to do.

“My conversations with him have been about how we’re going to work, what we’re going to do, information about the players.”

Neville also hopes to replicate his brother's quick mastery of the language.

“Spanish will be my biggest challenge.

“I will take lessons every day

“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!

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