Phil Neville has spoken about his work as assistant to Valencia Coach Nuno Santo. ‘My office is the pitch.’
Neville was hired after Ian Cathro departed, having been working as a pundit following a spell on the Manchester United staff under current Real Sociedad boss David Moyes.
“My office is the pitch, with the players, experience, working with Nuno and [Rui Silva, also assistant coach], working, developing and improving,” he said, Marca reports.
“Nuno is like a father to the young players. He gives them the stick first and then a hug. He’s respected. We have young players but there’s no fear.
“They’ll feel butterflies in the stomach when they hear the Champions League anthem. It still makes my hair stand on end.
“We’re young but we want to win, climb the table, reach the top. Why can’t we win the League with youngsters? Atletico Madrid already did it. Valencia is growing and growing fast.
“These guys aren’t afraid. They’re ambitious, want to develop and want to improve.
“When I arrived I saw the team was missing something. Then [Nicolas] Otamendi turned up and that’s who we were missing. It’s evident in every game, every training session.
“He gives us what we need. I saw him against Real Madrid last year and he was spectacular.
“Communication is key. I need to express myself. If I can’t learn Spanish in four months I’m going home.”
Picture via Phil Neville on Twitter
