Gary Neville has stated he will not return to management in the next five years with the Valencia job potentially being his last.
Picture Supplied by Action Images
The former Manchester United and England man spent four torrid months in Spain managing Valencia but his stint was finished early after three wins in 16 games and he also left the England set-up after Roy Hodgson resigned.
Speaking to Sky Sports‘ Spanish football expert Guillem Balague for Revista Bitesize, Neville stated that he may not volunteer for another managerial hot seat as he has other projects on the go.
“I always say ‘never say never’ because my love of football is too great, but I genuinely believe it will be very difficult for me to go back into coaching because of my commitment now to so many different things,” Neville said.
“It’s my obligation to deliver Salford City to the Football League. It’s my obligation to roll out Hotel Football internationally.
“It’s my obligation to deliver high-end restaurants with Michael O’Hare. It’s my obligation to deliver St Michael’s, which I believe is the best development in Manchester.
“I can’t go back into coaching now in the short term – the next five years – and the reality of it is I don’t want to.
“It could be that I’m no longer ever a coach in football but that’s not a loss. Some people might think it is, but the fact of the matter is it’s not to me.”
Picture Supplied by Action Images – Aymen Abdennour
His commitment at non-league club Salford City is one of many projects which has captivated everyone who tuned into the BBC One programme ‘Class of ’92: Out of Their League’ documentary which may tempt Neville to not get back into the manager’s hot seat.
Neville has been a huge success on Sky Sports’ Monday Night Football where he analysed the weekend’s action in more depth alongside former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher.
And after a bruising time in La Liga, Neville could be forgiven for sticking to punditry, which seems to be a safer option. However, Thierry Henry’s decision to assist Roberto Martinez with the Belgian national side shows the appeal that coaching can hold even for established pundits.
England manager Roy Hodgson and coach Gary Neville during training
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
