Key Takeaways
- Antonio Valencia stated “I think he’d do a great job as a manager now” when backing former Manchester United teammate Gary Neville for a Premier League role.
- Valencia explained that Neville struggled during his brief tenure in Spain because “he lacked big names within that squad” and could not recruit the players he wanted.
- A managerial return for Neville would present another headache for Sky Sports, with colleagues Micah Richards and Roy Keane already outlining plans to step away in the future.
Antonio Valencia backs former teammate for top-flight coaching return
Former Manchester United winger Antonio Valencia believes Gary Neville possesses the qualities needed to succeed as a manager in the Premier League, despite his previous difficulties in Spain.
Neville stepped into management after serving as an assistant to Roy Hodgson with the England national team, taking charge of Valencia in December 2015. His stint with the La Liga club proved challenging, yielding only 10 victories across 28 matches before he was dismissed the following March after just over three months in charge.
Speaking to Ladbrokes, Valencia reflected warmly on the leadership Neville demonstrated during their shared time at Old Trafford. “Gary Neville was always very good to me, from when I was a youngster at the club,” Valencia said. “I could see very early on that he was a great communicator, a leader.”
The Ecuadorian praised Neville’s current impact across sports broadcasting while maintaining that the pundit could thrive on the touchline under the right circumstances. “I’m very happy for him, and the career he’s had, both on and off the football pitch,” he explained. “It’s great he’s still connected to the game in a big way, and I think he’s one of the best at what he does.”
Valencia argued that the difficult tenure at the Mestalla stemmed primarily from the composition of the squad rather than Neville’s managerial acumen. “He obviously had a brief period as a manager, where things didn’t work out for him at Valencia,” Valencia noted. “I think he lacked big names within that squad, and he wasn’t able to bring in the players he’d have wanted, which is why he struggled.”
Looking ahead, Valencia expressed full confidence that Neville could handle the demands of English football’s highest level. “I would love to see him back in management though, even in the Premier League, because he’s a passionate guy who has a lot to say and give,” he stated. “I think he’d do a great job as a manager now.”
Valencia also highlighted other former Manchester United figures who could flourish in the dugout, adding: “I look back at other teammates, and someone like Nemanja Vidic I would expect to be a great manager. He has a great personality for that kind of role – similar to Wayne Rooney.”
Looming departures cast shadow over Sky Sports lineup
Any potential move by Neville back into management would represent another major shift for Sky Sports, where he features prominently alongside Jamie Carragher, Roy Keane and Micah Richards.
The broadcaster already faces future departures from its core panel. Richards revealed his intention to step away from television work entirely by 2034, outlining plans to focus on youth and community initiatives once he turns 46.
Keane has likewise voiced plans for a lifestyle change, revealing on the Stick to Football podcast in 2024 that he intends to relocate overseas in the coming years. Combined with Valencia’s backing for Neville to return to the technical area, the established lineup could eventually face substantial changes.
