Gary Neville to Valencia: Ex-player ‘thrilled’ after sealing shock role as Spanish club’s coach

Former Manchester United defender quits Sky Sports job but will stay as assistant to Roy Hodgson with England

Gary Neville’s first match in charge will be a key Champions League encounter next week (Getty Images)

Gary Neville will be unveiled as Valencia head coach on Thursday after surprising the football world by taking his first step into club management.

The England coach and Sky Sports pundit has signed a six-month contract at Valencia. He will take charge of the Spanish side on Sunday, and his first game will be in the Champions League against Lyon next Wednesday evening, which Valencia must win to stand any chance of progressing to the last 16.

England manager Roy Hodgson said that he “salutes the decision” of his assistant Neville and that the team’s preparations for Euro 2016 next summer, involving Neville, would not “be in any way affected” by the move.

Neville said how excited he was to take over at the La Liga club. “I am absolutely thrilled to be given this opportunity with Valencia,” he said. “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.”

Hodgson said: “I’m delighted that Gary has decided to take this excellent opportunity. It’s the right moment in time for him and I’m 100 per cent behind his decision to join Valencia as the new head coach.

“As far as I’m concerned, this will be an extra string to his bow and the experience he will gain working in the Spanish league can only be beneficial to our work together with the England team. Gary’s commitment to The FA’s preparations for Euro 2016 will not be in any way affected by the fact that he will be coaching abroad during the next five months.

“As someone who has spent a large part of my coaching career working abroad, I salute his decision and hope he gains as much from his time in Spain as I have done from the various countries in which I have worked.”

The move to Valencia is Neville’s first managerial role, and his first club job, since he retired from playing for Manchester United almost four years ago. Since then he has combined coaching with England with his media work.

Neville will link up with his younger brother Phil, who has been coaching at Valencia this season and who was appointed caretaker manager after the dismissal of Nuno Espirito Santo on Sunday.

Both Neville brothers are connected to Valencia owner Peter Lim through Salford City FC, in which Lim has a 50 per cent stake. Gary Neville and Lim are also both part-owners of Hotel Football, overlooking Old Trafford.

Layhoon Chan, who runs Valencia on behalf of Lim, praised their new manager’s “great leadership” and “personal qualities”.

“We are delighted to have secured Gary so quickly,” Layhoon said. “He combines top-level coaching experience through his role as a senior coach with the England national team and a world-class playing career with England and Manchester United.

“Throughout his career Gary has always shown great leadership both on and off the pitch. He is hugely respected in English football and it was his personal qualities which persuaded us that he was the right choice to lead Valencia until the end of the season.”

Neville will not be in charge for Valencia’s next match, at home against Spanish and European champions Barcelona on Saturday evening. Some may view that as a lucky escape. Valencia are currently ninth in La Liga, with 19 points from their first 13 games.