Fergie: I think Gary will do well at Valencia
LONDON: Former Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson has said his old skipper Gary Neville has the leadership skills to be a success as manager of Spanish side Valencia.
Neville replaced former boss Nuno Espirito Santo, and the 40-year-old’s first match in charge will be Wednesday’s must-win Champions League tie against Olympique Lyonnais. “His leadership skills are strong, he’s honest and he’s hard-working,” Ferguson said.
“He is the type of character who is not afraid of making big decisions, which is a vital skill when leading. I think he’ll do well and I wish him, and his brother Phil (Neville), good luck.”
Neville’s assistant will be his younger brother Phil, another former United player who joined Valencia as a coach in the close season.
Gary Neville is the 29th player who featured under Ferguson at Old Trafford to take the top job at a professional club, either on a permanent or temporary basis.
Meanwhile, former United defender Rio Ferdinand is convinced his old club will be paying close attention to Neville in his role as manager of Valencia. Ferdinand says that should Neville prove to be a success, it is likely he will be wanted back at Old Trafford in a managerial role in the future.
And Ferdinand is sure that Neville, who spent his entire footballing career at Old Trafford, would be extremely interested in a return. “Gary knows he has a big job to do and that it won’t be an easy ride,” he said.
“But if he can go on a run, the momentum will build and the fans can really carry the team. What you can be sure of is that the people at the top at Manchester United will be looking at what Gary does now and be interested to see how he gets on.
“If he does well, there is a very big chance that he will be wanted back at Old Trafford as manager at some point – and that he would be keen on going back as well, a local lad taking over his boyhood club.” – Reuters, Daily Mail