Gary Neville admits that if a Spanish Coach took over at a top Premier League team as he has at Valencia, he’d be ‘sceptical.’
Neville has spoken to the Press for the first time as Valencia Coach and was asked how he would have reacted as a pundit if the situation was reversed.
“I would question it as a neutral. I would be sceptical and want to be proven otherwise,” he replied.
“I understand over here I’ve got to prove to the fans and to the players that I’m capable of this job, any doubts will only be removed through winning matches.
“We’ve all seen inexperienced Coaches succeed and we’ve all seen experienced Coaches fail. There’s no magic formula. I accept I have to answer the doubters.
“I understand why these types of questions are asked and I have to provide the answers on the pitch.
“I only know one way, to expect to win every match. That’s not always the case but that’s the expectation everyone should have at a club this size. It’s what the fans expect. Hopefully that takes us to a position everyone can be proud of.”
Neville was asked if he has a message to the fans and replied by highlighting the supports’ reputation for expecting a lot from the team, one he believes is justified.
“I understand the fans are the most important at any club. The rest of us are here to guard, serve and deliver the success they believe,” he went on.
“know the fans are known as being demanding. They should be. It’s a fantastic club and it’s for the rest of us on this side of the fence to meet their demands.”
Brother Phil and Valencia legend Miguel Angulo will be part of his backroom team and the trainer explained what he has learned about the squad from his sibling, and what he told the players when meeting them on Thursday.
“Phil speaks very highly of their application and dedication, confidence has been an issue the last few weeks but that happens at all clubs,” he revealed.
“He speaks well about their enthusiasm to work hard. Phil and Miguel are part of the team and it won’t be a dictatorial approach.
“It was very simple. I didn’t want to confuse them because they have a very important match on Saturday against Barcelona and don’t want them to be contaminated by words from me at this stage.
“I told them I’m happy to be here, I’ll give my all for them, do my very best and expect the same in return.”
Neville takes the job shortly after David Moyes was sacked by Real Sociedad, but said he feels no responsibility for proving British Coaches can thrive abroad.
“There’ve been English Coaches successful abroad. Sir Bobby Robson, Roy Hodgson, Terry Venables,” Neville argued.
“Long-term I wouldn’t look at it like that. I’m focused on training on Sunday, Monday, the team for Wednesday. Where I’m going to be in five years and success as an English Coach abroad is irrelevant.
“We all have ambition and dreams but to get there you have to focus on one moment at a time.”
The rest of Neville’s first Press conference as Valencia Coach is here, here, here and here.
Image via www.valenciacf.com
