BREAKING NEWS: Gary, not Phil, Neville appointed new Valencia boss
Published:
Sam Barnard, Assistant Sports Editor | December 2, 2015
Gary Neville appointed Valencia head coach
- Former Man Utd legend takes over until end of season
- Officially takes charge from December 6th
- Assistant Phil joint-caretaker for Copa and Barca games
Nevilles take charge of Bats
Famous La Liga outfit Valencia have announced the bizarre, surprising appointment of Gary Neville as their new head coach until the end of the season.
The former Manchester United legend has taken up the role following the resignation of previous boss Nuno Espirito Santo, while his brother Phil will carry on his role as assistant.
OFFICIAL STATEMENT | @GNev2 -> https://t.co/52OIkdke0h #WelcomeGaryNeville pic.twitter.com/pcHV3oUTOA
— Valencia CF English (@valenciacf_en) December 2, 2015
Bats president Layhoon Chan said: “We are delighted to have secured Gary so quickly.
“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.”
Crunch clashes coming up for Valencia
Older Neville brother Gary won’t officially take charge until December 6th, meaning Phil and Salvador ‘Voro’ Gonzalez will oversee their Copa del Rey battle with Barakaldo, and then a crunch La Liga clash with Barcelona on Saturday evening.
The Bats are odds-on at 4/5 with Coral to win their cup game, while are 15/2 shouts to triumph at the Mestella against Barca.
Gary’s first match at the helm will be another important duel in the Champions League at home to Lyon, who they must beat in order to keep their knockout round qualification chances alive. Valencia are 5/4 shouts to reach the last 16.
The Neville brothers have no doubt been helped to gain their respective roles due to their connection with Bats owner Peter Lim, who also has a stake in English non-league side Salford City, who are 5/2 to beat Hartlepool United in the FA Cup second round on Friday.
It is confirmed that Gary will carry on his England coaching role but has stepped down as a Sky Sports pundit. For now, though, his task is to help Valencia gain ground in La Liga, as they are in ninth and five points off the top four after 13 games.
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