Gary Neville appointed head coach at Valencia

FORMER England and Manchester United defender Gary Neville has taken over as Valencia head coach following the resignation of Nuno Espirito, while his brother Phil was named interim coach. 

Neville will continue his responsibilities as assistant manager for the English national team and will officially take charge of the Valencia first team on Sunday December 6, his arrival having been announced December 2. 

Expressing his excitement, the former right-back, who made 400 appearances for Manchester United, 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.”

England manager Roy Hodgson welcomed the decision, noting that “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.”

Valencia currently lie ninth in La Liga and are third in their Champions League group table.

Peter Lim, the Singaporean businessman who owns the club, also has a 50 per cent stake in Salford City football club, which the Neville brothers also co-own along with other former United players.