'I'd have lost credibility if I turned down Valencia'

'I'd have lost credibility if I turned down Valencia'

Gary Neville suggested he’d have kissed goodbye to his credibility in football if he turned down the chance to manage Valencia. 

The former Manchester United manager was officially appointed as the La Liga club’s new boss until the end of the season earlier this week. 

Speaking at his presentation on Thursday, he said the opportunity was too big to turn down. 

“I’ve been offered jobs in football over the last four, five years, but the timing was never right,” Neville said.

“I wanted to learn about different things first. 

“But when I got the call on Sunday evening, I thought: What a football club, what an opportunity, what a challenge. 

“Sitting on television talking about coaches for a few years… the time has now come for me to stand up. 

“I’m precious about what I take on, but if I’d turned this down, I’d have lost credibility within football.”

Neville doesn’t yet speak Spanish, but admits his responsibility to learn as quickly as possible - and even asked if anyone could suggest a good teacher.

“I don’t speak Spanish yet, but I’ll take lessons every day and will immerse myself,” the 40-year-old added. 

“I can’t find someone to teach me at six in the morning yet - so if anyone’s out there, let me know! 

“I want to replicate Phillip, his Spanish at the training ground this morning was fantastic and I want to be the same.”

Neville will combine his job as Valencia boss with his role as Roy Hogson’s assistant at England for the time being. 

However, he will no longer be seen on Sky Sports in England, where he has built a reputation as one of the game’s best analysts.