Gary Neville Valencia press conference: Polished, credible and potentially brilliant, but he’s still a big gamble

The supporters will need to be won over, although such was the unpopularity of the last coach that he will get some time to do so, just not very long

The new Valencia coach Gary Neville, right, with the club’s president, Lay Hoon Chan, during yesterday’s press conference at the Mestalla (Reuters)

These are very different times in football. Sat next to the Singapore businesswoman Lay Hoon Chan, who is Valencia’s current president, Gary Neville was presented as the club’s new coach.

Potentially brilliant, but completely untried as a manager, he gave the sort of engagingly positive, polished display that has become his signature since he quit playing to become football’s best-loved analyst. He was credible and confident – even when Hoon Chan pronounced his name N’Ville instead of Neville as if were a French film director not a boy made good from Bury. He was also brutally honest.

“What would Neville the pundit say if this were an English club appointing a Spanish coach who had never managed and who could not speak the language?” he was asked.

“He would question it and be sceptical. He would want to be proven wrong, though,” came the reply. “I’ve not shied away from questioning such things in the past and I know I have to prove to the Valencia fans that any doubts and reservations that they might have will disappear when we win games.”

The supporters will need to be won over, although such was the unpopularity of the last coach, Nuno Espirito Santo, that he will get some time to do so, just not very long – Valencia coaches tend not to get honeymoon periods. They sign the register and then they are straight into the nitty-gritty of trying to make things work.

He seemed genuine when recalling some difficult nights spent playing for Manchester United against Valencia. “It was intimidating and I want the atmosphere to be ferocious again for us now as it was then against United when it was difficult to get a shot on target, let alone score a goal. It was always horrible playing here,” he said.

That was one phrase you hope will not be lost in translation. His point being that Valencia was “horrible” in all the best senses of the word – a tough crowd who can make it difficult for the opposition. He clearly wants, and needs, the fans on side.

What else might be lost in translation as he takes his first training session on Sunday, wisely leaving the task of stopping Barcelona on Saturday to brother Phil and caretaker coach Voro?

He joked that the first barrier to learning the language will be to find a Spanish tutor who can get up every day at 6am to give him lessons. Neville will work around the clock to make this a success. Phil has already started using Spanish on the training ground and Miguel Angulo, who joins their coaching team, speaks some English.

Another plus for him with supporters seems to be that he is not a Jorge Mendes pick. Some fans feel that the so-called “agent to the stars” – including Cristiano Ronaldo – who helped Peter Lim buy the club and represents as many as eight players in the squad, and the last coach, was wielding too much power. Sporting director Francisco Rufete quit in the summer because of their differences over signings.

There was some probing of his relationship with Lim. He said it would not be a “challenge”. That was perhaps the only time his choice of words seemed strange. There was maybe a slight unease at the question.

Neville will be aware that he has been hired by someone who he counts as a friend but also a business partner and that will be interpreted by some as reflecting a decision not made on merit or solely for the good of Valencia.

It is also yet another confirmation that these are very different times in football, certainly in these parts.

Fergie's proteges: The best and worst

Hits

Laurent Blanc Currently in charge at French champions PSG, he also won the title with Bordeaux and led France at Euro 2012.

Mark Hughes Former forward has managed five Premier League sides – presently at Stoke – and is yet to be relegated. Also impressed in five years with Wales.

Gordon Strachan Scot led Southampton to the 2003 FA Cup final and won three Scottish Premier League titles with Celtic. Now in charge of the national team.

Misses

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer Won the Norwegian league with Molde but failed to keep Cardiff in the Premier League after taking over in January 2014. He quit after less than a year.

Paul Ince Enjoyed success with MK Dons but lasted just three months with Blackburn in 2008, sacked after three wins in 17 games.

Henning Berg Followed spells with Norwegian clubs by taking over at Blackburn in 2012 but lasted just one win and 57 days.