Gary Neville: New Valencia boss could not turn down offer

The former Manchester United defender turned pundit said he had turned down other managerial jobs since retiring.

"I'm precious what I associate myself with," said Neville, 40, who has his brother Phil on the coaching staff.

"Sitting on the television over the last few years, it is time now to stand up," he added.

Neville, who has been part of the England coaching set-up under manager Roy Hodgson, has been appointed until the end of the season, despite having no previous managerial experience.

Peter Lim, owner of the La Liga club, also has a stake in English non-league side Salford City, co-owned by Neville.

"When I received the call about Valencia on Sunday evening, I thought 'what a football club, what an opportunity, what a challenge'," he said.

"If I turned down this job I could have kissed goodbye to my credibility."

(BBC)