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Article continues belowArticle continues belowArticle continues below<ul><li>Neville took up Valencia's offer in 2015</li><li>Was simultaneously working in Roy Hodgson’s backroom staff</li><li>Revealed that he could have succeeded Hodgson</li></ul><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script>

Gary Neville claims he was in line to become England manager before seeing 'perfect' Valencia move turn into a nightmare

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Real Sociedad

Valencia

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England

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Neville embarked on his managerial career when he accepted the offer to lead Valencia from Peter Lim in December 2015. However, his managerial ambitions were soon quelled as he endured a torrid spell at the Spanish club, winning just three times in 16 league games. Subsequently, he faced the ignominy of dismissal within months of his appointment, marking a stark contrast to his illustrious playing career at Manchester United.

WHAT HAPPENED?

Neville revealed that prior to his turbulent tenure at Valencia, the Football Association (FA) had earmarked him as the ideal successor to Hodgson. He recounted a constructive conversation with Dan Ashworth, FA’s director of elite development, who emphasised Valencia as the "perfect" stepping stone for Neville's managerial ascent, aligning with Hodgson's potential departure.

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Speaking to the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nQpJKhMGxp8&amp;list=PLfikCHtGjo4l2AJbpkgkmFOxgIQBc9Pn2&amp;index=1&amp;ab_channel=TheOverlap" target="_blank">Stick to Football</a> podcast, Neville said: "I’ve never said this publicly, but I remember getting the Valencia job in December, and Dan Ashworth rang me and said this was the perfect move for me to be on that next step for when Roy Hodgson decided he wanted to leave the England job, for me to take over."I always remember that phone call and him saying this was the perfect opportunity, but I look back now, and it was right that I failed in the job because I didn’t put the work in. With how my work ethic is now, I needed to fail to have that slap in the face moment, for me to get back to it, which is where I am now. I took the Valencia job purely because I knew the owner and I felt like I owed him something and I was loyal to him, he believed in me in terms of the business."

WHAT NEVILLE SAID

Interestingly, Neville disclosed that he had turned down managerial offers from clubs like Middlesbrough, Newcastle, and Derby in the years leading up to his Valencia appointment. His focus had shifted towards entrepreneurial ventures and media commitments, leading him to decline coaching opportunities offered by various clubs."I’ve been asked by Middlesbrough for an interview, Newcastle and Derby asked to speak to me, all in the previous three years I had been on Sky, and I said no to every offer because it wasn’t what I wanted to be," he said."I had started my businesses and my media career, so I didn’t want to be a coach and I had said no to Newcastle, which came from someone at Sky who had a contact at Newcastle as they wanted to speak to me, which was the same with Middlesbrough, and I’m not saying that would have got me the job but it could have.”

DID YOU KNOW?

Following Hodgson's departure, England opted for Sam Allardyce as his successor in July 2016. However, Allardyce's tenure was short-lived, marred by controversy and scandal, culminating in his resignation after just one match in charge. Gareth Southgate, the former manager of England under-21s, subsequently assumed the role and continues to lead the national team to this day.

WHAT NEXT?

Gary Neville claims he was in line to become England manager before seeing 'perfect' Valencia move turn into a nightmare | Goal.com Singapore

Gary Neville has claimed that he was in line to become England manager before his &quot;perfect&quot; Valencia move turned into a nightmare.

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