Former Real Sociedad boss David Moyes has claimed that Gary Neville will be able to handle the challenge of managing Valencia.

The ex-Manchester United captain, who has never been a head coach before, was appointed by the Spanish club on Wednesday.

Neville, who will continue his work as part of England's coaching staff, will join his brother Phil Neville at the Mestalla as the retired footballer is already assistant boss at the La Liga outfit.

Moyes, who lasted one year in charge of Sociedad, is confident that Neville will thrive in Spain.

"I don't believe for one minute that Gary Neville will be fazed by the challenge he is taking on at Valencia," Moyes wrote in The Express. "He is a leader, someone who has been driven throughout his career, and whether it was as a player at Manchester United or with his work at Sky Sports, he has been successful in whatever he has turned his hand to.

"Football management is different, of course, and until you taste it properly you don't really know what it is like, but he has all the credentials to do well.

"When you are the manager, the responsibility falls on you. It is your work on the training ground, your tactics on stopping Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, your planning all week that has to come off. It can be a lonely life. It will help that his brother is already there."

Neville's first game in charge will be next week's Champions League match at home to Lyon.

Written by
Danielle Joynson