Gary Neville’s first game as Valencia head coach is a doozy – a must-win game against Lyon in the Champions League.
Valencia are one point behind Gent, who play group leaders Zenit, but have a worse head-to-head record.
However, the former Manchester United full-back, in his first managerial job, is making no excuses.
“I can’t sit here and say ‘oh well, I’ve just picked this up and I’m in this position because of someone else,” said Neville, who was speaking exclusively to BT Sport.
“It’s stating the obvious that from my point of view the first game as a coach you want to win anyway, whether it’s a Champions League game or not.
“But the fact that it’s a big Champions League game where obviously elimination could loom if we don’t do our job, which is the most important thing, or results don’t go our way elsewhere, would be a massive disappointment.”
