Yeah sure
Lim: Gary Neville's Valencia appointment down to merit - not friendship
By Alex Fisher
Dec 23, 2015 19:20:23
The England coach was selected for the dugout because he was the right man for the job, insists los Che's owner
Valencia owner Peter Lim insists Gary Neville's appointment as coach was based on merit rather than in relation to their friendship.
Neville was handed his first head-coach role by the Singaporean businessman after Nuno Espirito Santo was sacked in November, the former Manchester United full-back installed until the end of the season.
The announcement came as something of a surprise then given his lack of experience in a top job, with some suggesting his relationship with Lim – who is a co-owner of Salford City with Neville – helped his chances.
However, Lim has rejected those reports and says the 40-year-old was hired because he is the right man to restore glory at the former Spanish champions.
"I picked Gary not because he is a good friend; Gary is a good coach, who happened to be a friend," Lim told the club's official website.
"I think that has to be very clear to everyone. I look at him, he has got the potential in him, I knew him for a while and his football knowledge is tremendous.
"He is a top pundit in the UK. I chose him because of his knowledge of football and everything that is around football.
"So as interim manager for the rest of the season, I think that it suits me and I think it will suit the club very well to have him see through the period, and we'll take it from there. That is how I look at it."
"I am very confident about him, the only shortfall is maybe the language. But I believe he can overcome it, because he is a very determined person.
"More important is his experience, not only as a manager but his playing days, I think he can hold this team together. We have a very young team.
"I know a lot of people say 'oh no, he has never been a coach', but I do believe that he has got the ability to become a good coach."
Neville has nevertheless only managed to deliver one win - a 2-0 win over Spanish minnows Barakaldo in the Copa del Rey - in four games, and will be determined to improve that record when Valencia travel to Villarreal on New Year's eve.