Current Valencia assistant coach and former England international Phil Neville has revealed that he was offered the role of assistant coach at Newcastle earlier this year.
When Steve McClaren arrived, fans wondered who would become his assistant and former Valencia assistant coach Ian Cathro was appointed to the role. There was heavy speculation linking Phil Neville, brother of Gary, with the then vacant position.
Speaking about his decision to join Valencia rather than Newcastle, Neville said the following (quoted by the Chronicle):
I like Steve (McClaren) and I went up there out of respect to him, but I had set my heart on coming here.
I wanted a new experience, to learn another language.I wanted to be different. I wanted people to realise I’m taking my coaching career very seriously. I wanted to create my own pathway.
Neville spent last year as a TV pundit, after his first-team coach role at Manchester United under David Moyes. Considering Valencia play Champions League football, it doesn’t come as a surprise that he chose to join Nuno Espirito Santo at the Mestalla, rather than Steve McClaren at St. James’ Park.
I personally am glad we didn’t appoint Neville in the role of assistant coach, as I think Ian Cathro was a much better appointment.
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