GARY HAS 6 MONTHS TO MAKE TOP FOUR
manager. He recently completed his Pro Licence at St George’s Park and Sky Sports had been aware for some time that Neville was itching to take his first managerial job.
Although Neville harbours ambitions to manage Manchester United and England, he recognised that he had to take the plunge with a highprofile role before he could ever be considered.
Hodgson’s contract with England expires after Euro 2016, but the prospect of succeeding the coach straight after the tournament is unlikely. The FA regard Neville as more of a long-term bet.
His relationship with the highly secretive Singaporean businessman Peter Lim, who is the majority stakeholder in the Spanish club, is behind the Valencia appointment.
Lim, who made a doomed attempt to buy Liverpool in 2010, is heavily involved in the Class of 92’s Hotel Football project and also has a 50 per cent stake in their other sideline, Salford City.
Valencia made their first official move for Neville after they fired Nuno Espirito Santo on Sunday evening following a 1-0 defeat by Sevilla.
The result left them ninth in La Liga and the target for Neville in his caretaker role until the end of the season will be to guarantee Champions League football again by finishing at least fourth.
Phil Neville, who joined Valencia in the summer as first-team coach, was in charge last night as the team beat lower-league Barakaldo 3-1 in the Spanish Cup. He could never have been appointed on a permanent basis because he doesn’t have the Pro Licence qualification his older brother holds.
He will continue to prepare the team for Saturday’s clash with league leaders Barcelona before handing over the reins to Gary for his first game against Lyon in the Champions League on Wednesday.
VALENCIA are third in the group behind Zenit St Petersburg and Gent. They need to beat Lyon to stand any chance of qualifying for the next phase.
Neville has ambitions to one day succeed Hodgson as the head coach of his country, but he has been waiting for the right opportunity to present itself. Coaching Valencia appears to be it.
Lim’s extraordinary wealth — Forbes estimate his fortune to be around £1.3billion — means Neville will be able to recruit players in the transfer window.
Super agent Jorge Mendes, well known to Neville because of his dealings with Manchester United over the years, is also a key part of the set-up at Valencia. Having to deal with agents will be a fascinating test of Neville’s character because he believes their influence within the game should be vastly reduced.
Neville’s role as England coach will be unaffected by his decision and he will still be heavily involved in the build- up to friendly fixtures against Germany and Holland in March.
Neville has already made his first appointment by recruiting FA video technician Andy Scoulding as technical coach at the Mestalla.
Scoulding, who worked with Hodgson at Fulham and Liverpool before moving to Wembley to work with the national team, is thought of so highly that he has been placed on a secondment.
Hodgson said: ‘i’m delighted that Gary has decided to take this excellent opportunity. it’s the right moment for him and i’m 100 per cent behind his decision to join Valencia as the new head coach.
‘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. 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 from the various countries which i have worked in.
‘Like the rest of the England coaching staff, Gary will be fully committed to preparing for the Euros in France and our friendly matches.
‘i wish him and his brother Phil the very best of luck as they prepare for their first match against Lyon in the Champions League.’
NEVILLE inherits a decent squad with young Spain star Paco Alcacer and former Manchester City forward Alvaro Negredo among the biggest names at the Mestalla.
He has already been told by Sky that he is held in such high regard that he is welcome back to the TV studio at any time.
Barney Francis, managing director at Sky Sports, said: ‘ We wish Gary all the very best as he returns to football with our blessing. The door will always be open should he wish to return.’