BOS VALENCIA’SNEWS NEVILLE’S BIG PLAN
United legend sets off on path to Old Trafford
GARY NEVILLE is a man with a plan – and it could spell danger for Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal.
Neville appeared in Van Gaal’s rear view mirror yesterday when he announced his decision to take charge of Valencia until the end of the season.
The bold and brave move confirmed what most people knew, that Neville is desperate to prove himself in the fickle, cut-throat world of top-level management.
But, rest assured, the ambitious Neville will have his sights set on the bigger picture, with his ultimate goal to boss his beloved United.
Neville has been touted as the long-term replacement for England boss Roy Hodgson, whose contract with the FA runs out after Euro 2016 next summer.
The odds on Neville succeeding Hodgson halved following news of his appointment at Valencia yesterday.
However, Neville has taken his first steps on a managerial path he hopes will lead to Old Trafford instead of Wembley.
Neville is no fool. While proud to work for his country, he knows managing England is as much a poisoned chalice as it is an honour. His chances of winning a major tournament would be slim at best.
Neville is never afraid to accept a challenge, as his latest decision has proved, but he draws the line somewhere.
Which is why the revelation that Neville has chosen to take the plunge into management at one of Spain’s biggest, but most under-achieving, clubs should send a shiver down the spine of Van Gaal.
United are second in the Premier League, but sections of supporters feel he is not the right man to bring the good times back and his methods do not suit the fabric and demands of the club.
Van Gaal is under contract until the end of next season and has hinted he might be willing to sign an extension.
But the decision might be made for him should he fail to win silverware and Neville becomes a success in Spain.
Few people know what makes United tick better than Neville.
His close friend Ryan Giggs is Van Gaal’s No.2 and the widespread belief is that the United legend is being groomed as his successor.
But how many assistant managers at United are promoted to the top job?
Wilf McGuinness was the last one, in June 1969, when he succeeded Sir Matt Busby. It turned into a disaster and he was sacked the following December.
So while questions remain about Giggs’ managerial credentials – because no-one has seen them aside from a brief caretaker spell – Neville has stolen a march.
Valencia have been through 15 managers in as many years. When Neville’s predecessor, Nuno, was appointed in July 2014, he was jeered by Valencia supporters on the day he was presented to them. Neville has his work cut out but he tends to be a success, whether playing, coaching, punditry or – in the case of Salford City – part-owning a club. Which brings this intriguing story to a certain multi-millionaire businessman called Pete Lim, who happens to own Valencia and is a close friend and associate of Neville’s.
Lim is the reason why Neville, and brother Phil (left) are now in charge at the Mestalla.
Lim, who once tried to buy Liverpool, remains keen to get a foothold in the Premier League and is believed to harbour ambitions of seizing control of United from the Glazers.
Three managerial successes – and three flops in Spain Won the Spanish Cup, Spanish Super Cup and European Cup Winners’ Cup with Barca in 1996-97. The Wales boss lasted only seven months at Real Sociedad in 2007-08.