Valencia

Phil Neville leaves Valencia role after one year at Mestalla

By Daniel Lewis, Senior Reporter | 25 May 2016

Phil Neville hints that he is ready to move into the world of management after announcing his intention to step down as Valencia assistant.

Phil Neville has announced that he will stand down from his position as Valencia assistant coach in order to pursue "other opportunities".

The 39-year-old made a surprise move to the La Liga outfit last summer to become number two to Nuno Espirito Santo, before a change of management midway through the season saw brother Gary Neville placed in charge.

Gary departed just four months into his first foray into management, but Phil remained on alongside interim boss Pako Ayestaran and helped the club finish well clear of safety in 12th.

Ayestaran has since been given the job on a permanent basis, and former Manchester United defender Neville is now looking to move up the coaching ladder.

"I think obviously with the naming of Pako as the manager, I think I will be leaving the club and looking for other opportunities," he told PA.

"There are opportunities out there and that is where we are at. It has been a fantastic year but, you know, in football new managers come in, they want to bring their own staff.

"It's football. Hopefully in the future when I am a manager, I will want to bring my own staff with me. That is the case now and it's time for me to leave Valencia and to grab hold of other opportunities that are going to come my way."

Neville had initially claimed earlier this week that he intended to stay on at the Mestalla, but he has since had a change of heart.

"You've got to do your process, do all your work and learn about how to be a manager," he added. "I am still learning, I am still young in term of managerial experience, but the last three years I've gathered a lot of information.

"I just feel at the moment maybe my next job I think I'll probably want to go on my own and be my own man, back myself and my own ability."

Neville has previously spent a year on the Man United coaching staff, while also taking caretaker charge of Salford City in 2015 - a club he co-owns with fellow member of the Red Devils' famed Class of '92.