LA LIGA: Gary Neville named Valencia head coach

Manchester United legend Gary Neville has succeeded Nuno as manager at Spanish club Valencia.

The 40-year-old ex-England defender will officially take charge of the first team on Sunday 6 December, ahead of the UEFA Champions League match against Lyon at Mestalla on Wednesday 9 December - but not this weekend's match with champions Barcelona.

His assistant manager will be his brother Phil who has been running the team since Nuno resigned.

Both men also own Salford City FC along with Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes while Gary has been an assistant coach with England for the past three years.

Valencia CF 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."

Gary Neville said: “I am absolutely thrilled to be given this opportunity with Valencia. Valencia are a huge football club of immense standing and I know from my time as a player the passion and dedication of the Valencia fans.

“I am really looking forward to working with the club’s talented group of players and am excited about the challenge ahead.”

A press conference with Layhoon Chan and Gary Neville will be held on Thursday afternoon at Mestalla Stadium.

Gary Neville is also a Sky Sports pundit whose managing director Barney Francis said: "We wish Gary all the very best as he returns to football with our blessing and begins his managerial career with Valencia.

"He will always be a friend of Sky Sports and we look forward to following the next chapter of his career closely, not least during our weekly La Liga coverage. And of course, the door will always be open should he wish to return."

Neville himself said: “Sky has probably been one of the best decisions I have ever made, simply an incredible job that I have loved doing. The team that I have worked with on match days and MNF have been simply unbelievable, their knowledge of the game, their passion, their work ethos has made me love football more.

“No one understands football better than Sky Sports, so it has been no surprise that they have fully supported and understood the decision that I have made to go to Valencia for the next five months.”