Van Gaal & Carrick Wish Neville Luck

Louis van Gaal admits he is “curious” to observe Gary Neville’s progress at Valencia after the Manchester United legend was appointed head coach of the Spanish club earlier this week.

Neville lifted 20 major honours and registered 602 appearances during his illustrious Reds career before becoming a critically-acclaimed television pundit and columnist. But on Wednesday, the football world was stunned when it was announced he is embarking on his first managerial position in La Liga.

Gary’s assistant manager at the Mestalla Stadium will be his younger brother Phil Neville - another Class of '92 graduate - and the pair will take charge of their first match together during next week's important UEFA Champions League tie against Lyon.

Van Gaal of course knows all about Spanish football from his two previous stints as manager of Barcelona and, during his press conference at the Aon Training Complex on Friday, the Dutchman claimed he is happy for United’s former right-back and wished him well for the challenges ahead.

“Valencia is a very big club in Spain with a lot of history and titles also,” van Gaal said. “It is a big step and a big challenge for him, so I am very happy but also curious to see how he does. It is not easy to do that in a foreign country - it is very difficult. Okay, he has his brother who is speaking fluently in Spanish, but still, it is a big challenge and I wish him a lot of luck - he will need luck.”

Asked if the language barrier will be the toughest challenge for Neville, van Gaal said: “No, you also have culture dimensions that are difficult to understand. I have to adapt as a manager to the culture of England and these dimensions do not always fit to your way of thinking, but you have to do it.”

Michael Carrick played with Neville for five seasons at United and our current vice-captain admits he was delighted when the news about Valencia broke on Wednesday. He has also hailed his former team-mate’s courage for taking control of a foreign team for his first job in management.

“I think it’s great news,” Carrick told MUTV. “In terms of British players, coaches and managers there are probably not enough who have ever had the chance to go abroad or who have gone abroad. So to go as your first big job shows great courage and I think he’s got to take great credit for it.”

Neville will remain a coach under Roy Hodgson with the English national team and Carrick has experienced his abilities as a trainer. The 34-year-old has been impressed by what he’s seen so far and has thrown his support behind the Valencia appointment. “I’ve said for some time he’s really suited to it because he sees games so well and has the required leadership skills.

“Sometimes you’re looking at someone and thinking ‘Yeah, that’s going to be them’ and I’ve thought that for some time, working with him at England. It’s a big contribution he’s made at England and I’ve seen it in him. I am sure he will do really well. I’m really confident he’ll be a big success.”