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Former England defender should be applauded for his determination to succeed and defy his critics, but his time in Spain can only have detrimental effect to his glorified career.
Seduced by his friend, who is accidentally also the owner of Valencia, Gary Neville didn’t think twice before leaving the warmth of the Sky television studio for his adventure in Spain.
Former Manchester United and England defender chose to join his brother on the bench of the struggling Valencia, who have become the laughing stock in La Liga, ever since Peter Lim bought 70.4% of the shares owned by the club’s foundation back in 2014.
Peter Lim takes Valencia faithful for a ride
Having promised to get the club back to winning path and to return the glory days, Lim did little to persuade the demanding fans, who feel disappointed and disillusioned.
The Singaporean businessman is the co-owner of Neville’s Salford City, and the two have developed a close friendship in recent years.
The announcement of Gary Neville as Valencia boss in December was viewed by many as the publicity stunt. However, Peter Lim claims he didn’t hire Neville because of their friendship, but because of his coaching credentials. It did little to convince fans though, who feel their club has become a private toy of a wealthy man.
Loaded with high expectations and under close scrutiny, Gary Neville did not expect his Valencia adventure to turn so sour right from the start.
Communication problems, language barrier and downright failure to assert his leadership within the squad have left Gary Neville stranded with not a single win in his 10 La Liga games so far, with the 7-0 Copa del Rey humiliation at the hands of Barcelona highlighting his stint at the club.
Neville has hit critics, doubters and overall pressure from the public same way he did it during his playing days – head on.
Determined to make it, to set the record straight and turn the fortunes around, Neville rolled up his sleeves in attempt to do the impossible – to beat Barcelona.
And he was agonizingly close to do so.
Six minutes away from inflicting the first loss to Luis Enrique’s men in 28 games, Gary Neville was denied the feat by the 19-year-old substitute Wilfred Kaptoum, who scored a late equalizer with his first touch. Eliminated from the semi-finals on an 8-1 aggregate loss, Valencia turn their focus towards the league and the game against Espanyol, which could prove pivotal for Gary Neville.
Only four points away from the relegation dugout, Los Che need the win more than ever.
Fans deserve it, claims Neville. Players deserve it as well. He deserves it too. But football is a cruel game where unfair things happen all the time. The Englishman should be commended for his relentless spirit and determination to succeed, but Neville must come to terms with the fact that his approach will do little to save his reputation.
Knowing that his friend Peter Lim would never sack him for lack of results, Neville feels indebted to make things right and he is prepared to go head first through a brick wall.
He took a leap into the La Liga completely unprepared for the uncharted waters. Like David Moyes before him, Gary Neville has learned that Spain can be a dangerous place for English managers, who risk their reputation, and reputation of England with their Spanish struggles.
Fans have sent Neville a clear message
Thousands of Valencia most faithful refused to attend the Wednesday’s match against Barcelona leaving Mestalla almost empty in protest against Gary Neville and poor form his team has been experiencing.
Unhappy with the situation, they staged a protest with perhaps more fans outside the stadium and the Valencia team bus surrounded by unhappy supporters who have made their thought clear to the English tactician.
Known as a fair player, Neville should get his head out of the stand and listen to an angry mob.
From the team of European ambitions, Valencia have become the relegation strugglers. Staying until the end to save his team from going down to the lower tier would not earn Gary Neville plaudits from the stands as fans are too angry to see past their team’s worries and into Neville’s good intentions.
So he should pack his bags and go on his own and let someone else take the credit for saving Los Che from relegation.
