LONG GAME Gary well-suited to keep his Spanish job for years
GARY NEVILLE insists his Spanish adventure is no dress rehearsal for the England job.
He may be the new favourite to become the Three Lions’ next manager, while his contract with Valencia is only supposed to last until the summer.
But Neville, 40, was certainly well turned out for his official unveiling yesterday. A plain black suit accompanied by an open-necked shirt was how he chose to present himself at Valencia’s Mestalla stadium.
The look was certainly more Sky pundit than head coach. But the more regular attire will be the tracksuit as he strives, with his brother Phil and Valencia legend Miguel Angel Angulo, to revive the fortunes of a side which – like their stadium – has seen better days.
And Neville, who has answered the call from Valencia’s supremo and co-owner of Salford City, the Singaporean billionaire Peter Lim, is certainly not thinking beyond that immediate task.
“What I’m focused on is what the training sessions will be on Sunday and Monday, and what the team will be for next Wednesday,” said Neville as he gears up for his first full match in charge, a must-win match at home to Lyon in the Champions League.
“Where I am in five years’ time is irrelevant,” he added as the subject of Roy Hodgson’s successor in the England role was raised.
“We all have ambitions and dreams, but the only way you get there is by focusing on what you are doing now.
“We have all seen inexperienced coaches succeed and fail. I accept I have got to prove myself, turn the doubters around. I have to provide the answers on the pitch.”
Wife Emma and their two girls Molly and Sophie will join him in Spain, a decision which raises the prospect of Neville remaining in La Liga beyond the summer.
“The only way to approach any football job is to look at it as permanent,” he said.
“Every decision I make will be long term.
“My family will move over here permanently – my girls will finish school in two weeks. When I was playing, I always wanted players to show total commitment, so it is only right that I do so too.
“I will be taking Spanish lessons every day. The only problem is that I can’t find a Spanish teacher who will get up at 6am every morning.”
The single-minded, dedicated streak that ran through Neville’s playing career shows no sign of mellowing after four years in the TV studios.
He did not consult Sir Alex Ferguson, the only club manager he played for, before making his decision.
“I made it with my family,” he said. “But I have spoken to him in the last few days and he has offered words of encouragement.
“I would be stupid not to accept that support, but I have confidence in myself and my belief is strong. I’m not going to insult a club like Valencia by telling them that I’m coming over to play football like Manchester United.
“I’ve got to play in the tradition of Valencia. Every coach wants to play attacking, entertaining football, but we also have to find a way to win.”
He will leave tomorrow’s visit of Barcelona in the hands of Phil, who has been at Valencia since the start of the season when he came to assist Nuno Espirito Santo.
He resigned on Sunday with Valencia five points adrift of the Champions League places, having won only five of their 13 games.
But Neville said: “I only know one way to approach things – expect to win every match.
“It’s the minimum expectation.”