Gary Neville confirms brother Phil will stay on as Valencia assistant coach: live
Neville
“I’m incredibly excited to be here. I understand the passion and intimidation of the fans and I want to recreate that and harness that in the coming months.”
Neville is pumped
G Nev: “I understand from playing here the atmosphere and intimidation that you get from the fans and I want to harness that.”
Backroom staff confirmed
Neville: “One thing to announce is the coaches: one is my brother Phil and [Miguel Ángel] Angulo, coach of the Under 19s.”
Style over substance?
Neville is asked about the team's style of play, and Nev responds:
“I’m very aware of the traditions and how they play.
“I understand I need to appraise the players as soon as possible to find our best style of play and win games as soon as possible.
“We have big games coming up and at the moment the most important thing is to win games regardless of style.”
Staying put?
GNev responds to a question about whether he'll stay beyond the end of the season: “You have to approach every job as a permanent job. Every decision I make will be a long-term decision. I’m not interested in bringing over an army of coaches. I’m going to promote from within, as I have done this morning.”
The best question so far
What’s the correct pronunciation of your name? ”Neville,” replies Neville.
Will Nev be joined by the Class of '92?
GNev says: “We will appoint people from within.
“I believe in promoting the growth of this football club and won’t be bringing over an army of coaches.
“My family will move over here permanently.
“My girls finish school in Manchester in two weeks and move over to Valencia.
“When I was in Manchester I wanted footballers from abroad to show commitment to the club and the way of life so I have done that even though the contract is only for six months.”
Neville explains why he took the job
Nev says: “I think I’ve been offered jobs in football over the last four or five years but timing hadn’t feel right and I wanted to learn.
“When I received the call on Sunday evening I thought what a football club, what an opportunity, what a challenge.
“Sitting on television, talking about coaches for these last few years, the time had come for me to stand up.”
Will you be learning Spanish?
Neville: “Spanish is going to be my biggest challenge as I don’t speak the language. I will take lessons every day. I have a problem - I can’t find a Spanish teacher who will get up at 6am.”
Gary on Phil
Neville senior says: “If Phil wasn’t here I would want him here.
“He’s diligent, hard-working and form my point of view I’m delighted he’s part of the coaching set-up. We don’t do niceties and we talk about actions and what we’re going to do.
“My conversations with him have been about how we’re going to work, what we’re going to do, information about the players.”
The story so far
GNev talks the press through his first day at Valencia: “I went to the training ground and met with the players and staff,” says Neville.
“I didn’t want to confuse them because they have an important match on Saturday and they need to concentrate on that - they don’t need to get too contaminated by words from me at this stage.
“I just told them I’m here to give my all and to give my best and I expect the same from them really.”
What's Phil said about the team?
GNev says: “He speak very highly of them. Confidence has been an issue over the past few weeks, but that happens at clubs.
“In terms of advice, Phil and Angulo form part of the coaching team – it won’t be a dictatorial approach.”
Be honest...
Gary is asked: "What would you have said as a MNF pundit if a Spanish pundit had got one of the top jobs in English football with no experience and no language?”
Neville: “I would question it as a neutral observer. I’d be sceptical. I understand I’ve got to prove to the Valencia fans and players that I’m capable of doing this job. Doubts will only be removed by winning football matches.”
Fergie time?
A reporter asks if Neville's managerial style will be similar to Sir Alex Ferguson's.
Neville says: “I’m not going to insult Valencia FC by telling them that I’m going to come over here and get them playing football like Manchester United. I’ve got to play football in the traditions of Valencia. My experience with Sir Alex are valuable. Every coach wants to play attacking attractive football but you also have to win.”
Nevile conifrms he won't be on the bench against Barca
“First of all, I won’t be on the bench against Barcelona [on Saturday night],” says GNev.
“On Sunday evening the first contact was made, by Monday evening it was accepted (I obviously needed to talk to my family overnight which I did). Tuesday we talked about logistics and coaching, Wednesday was announcement and today was the first time I could get over here.
“We decided earlier in the week it was too soon, too unprofessional to come in the day before such a big match.
“It would have been unfair on the players.”
Backing from Woy
Neville intends to stay on as England assistant manager, and he said: “In terms of the FA and the England football team, when I spoke to Roy he was incredibly supportive and he understood completely the opportunity for myself.
“He was behind me 100%, we have the two games in march during the international break so from my point of view, I wanted to complete my job through to the European Championships but I want people to know that Valencia is my priority 95-99% of the time.”