Phil Neville to follow mentor Moyes to Spain and take Valencia role
Former England and Manchester United defender Phil Neville is set for a shock move to Spain to become assistant coach at leading La Liga side Valencia.
Neville, who has had stints on the coaching staff of Everton and United, is poised to replace Newcastle-bound Scot Ian Cathro and become No2 to head coach Nuno Espirito Santo.
Valencia, who finished fourth in the Spanish top-flight last season, announced the appointment on their website yesterday. The BBC, whom the 38-year-old has worked for as a pundit since leaving the United set-up last year, reported that he was in talks but that they were ongoing.
Neville already has close links with Valencia’s owner Peter Lim. The Singaporean billionaire joined forces with the footballer, his brother Gary and United greats Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes to buy non-league outfit Salford City in 2014.
The move would see Neville follow one of his coaching mentors David Moyes, who he worked under at Everton and, briefly, United, and who took charge at San Sebastian’s Real Sociedad last year.
Cathro, 28, who studied for his coaching badges alongside Nuno and followed him from Rio Ave in his native Portugal to Valencia, is set to become assistant to new Newcastle boss Steve McClaren.
Gary Neville is part of England manager Roy Hodgon’s staff.