On a day which began with him being linked with the manager’s role at Fulham, the news that Gary Neville had been appointed as the new boss at Valencia caught many by surprise.
The former Manchester United captain will take over at the Mestalla until the end of the season and will continue his work with the England team alongside Roy Hodgson.
Hodgson has been quick to praise the move, claiming that it is the “right moment” for him to take on such a role.
“I’m delighted that Gary has decided to take this excellent opportunity. It’s the right moment in time for him and I’m 100 per cent behind his decision to join Valencia as the new head coach,” Hodgson explained.
Plenty have been quick to suggest that Neville’s work in Spain could be a stepping stone for him to eventually replace Hodgson as England manager, whereas others have pointed out that it could also put him in the running for the Manchester United job.
While it’s a popular school of thought that Ryan Giggs will inherit the role as United manager when Louis van Gaal departs, it’s also worth noting that Neville could now be about to launch himself as a contender.
To be honest I fancy Gary Neville as United 's manager rather than Ryan Giggs.
— M S (@maezono7) December 2, 2015
Giggs has worked alongside Louis van Gaal for nearly 18 months but there are nagging doubts in the minds of United fans that he will have the necessary experience to take over the role as manager.
Neville’s decision to take the Valencia job is a bold one with no guarantees that it will be a success. But although there’s an obvious risk involved, the job will allow him to gain invaluable experience as the manager of a club – a big club, too.
In many ways, it would have been the perfect opportunity for Giggs to (temporarily, at least) sever his ties with United and prove that he can handle the pressures associated with being a manager.
If Neville proves does prove a success in Spain, in the minds of many, he’ll have put himself ahead of his old friend in contention for the Old Trafford job.
