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From Valencia to England’s Potential Leader
Former Manchester United star Gary Neville has shared a surprising revelation about the possibility of becoming England’s manager prior to his challenging tenure at Valencia. Neville, who was part of Roy Hodgson’s England backroom team, took on a dual role when he accepted the head coach position at Valencia in late 2015. Despite maintaining his assistant manager role with England, his time in Spain was marked by a series of disappointments, winning a mere three out of 16 LaLiga games before his dismissal after just three months.
The Call That Signalled Big Ambitions
Speaking candidly on the Stick to Football podcast, Neville disclosed a conversation with then FA director Dan Ashworth, who saw Neville’s move to Valencia as a stepping stone to eventually succeed Hodgson. The plan was for Neville to gain experience as a head coach and position himself as a strong candidate for the England job. However, Neville’s struggles at Valencia derailed these ambitions, leading him to reflect on the importance of failure and the need to recommit to his values of hard work and dedication.
Turning Down Coaching for Media and Business
Neville also confessed that he had not originally aspired to be a coach, having been focused on his burgeoning media career and business ventures. Despite receiving interest from several clubs, including Middlesbrough, Newcastle, and Derby, Neville declined these opportunities. His decision to join Valencia was driven by loyalty to the club’s owner, Peter Lim, with whom he had established a business relationship.
After Valencia: No Coaching, Just Commentary
After his stint in Spain, Neville returned to his role with the England team for Euro 2016, Hodgson’s final tournament. Since then, Neville has not returned to coaching, with the England managerial position being filled by Gareth Southgate. Neville continues to be a prominent figure in football through his analysis and commentary.
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