Manchester United legend Gary Neville appointed as new manager of La Liga club Valencia

In a surprising development, former Manchester United full-back Gary Neville has been appointed as the new manager of Spanish club Valencia. The former La Liga champions made the announcement on their website on Wednesday, 2 December.

Gary, whose brother Phil is already part of the coaching staff at Valencia, will take charge of the team on 6 December, three days before the club takes on Lyon in a must-win UEFA Champions League encounter.

"We are delighted to have secured Gary so quickly. He combines top level coaching experience through his role as a senior coach with the England national team and a world-class playing career with England and Manchester United," Valencia CF President Layhoon Chan said following the appointment.

Neville himself expressed his pleasure at taking over the managerial reins of the club, which will also be his first assignment as a head coach. "I am absolutely thrilled to be given this opportunity with Valencia. Valencia are a huge football club of immense standing and I know from my time as a player the passion and dedication of the Valencia fans," he said.

The official unveiling of Gary Neville will take place on Thursday, 3 December, at a press conference in Valencia's Mestalla Stadium.