Fulham have missed out on appointing Gary Neville as manager after the former Manchester United defender was today named as Valencia’s new head coach.

The England coach last night emerged as a candidate to replace Kit Symons with the bookies as odds on him taking over at Craven Cottage were slashed from 50-1 to 4-1.

However, it all appears that was just a smokescreen following the news this lunchtime that the ex-United full-back will be taking charge of the La Liga giants until the end of the season.

It will be Neville's first management role since retiring from the game in 2011 after a glittering career that saw him claim eight Premier League titles and two Champions League crowns.

He has gained massive respect in the game for his work as a football pundit for Sky Sports and in 2012 was took up a role with the English national team under former Fulham manager Roy Hodgson.

Gary Neville through the years in pictures:

Neville said: "I am excited and I am proud to have received this huge opportunity with Valencia Football Club. It is a huge club, of immense prestige and I remember well from my time as a player, the passion and loyalty of their fans."

"I'm looking forward to working with them, I know it's a group of very talented players. I am very excited about the challenge that lies ahead together."

Neville joins up with brother Phil who has been assistant coach at the La Liga club since the start of the current campaign.

Valencia president Chan Lay Hoon added: "We are delighted to have been able to have Gary as quickly. He is a person who combines technical expertise as part of the coaching staff of the England team and a brilliant playing career at Manchester United and his team.

"Throughout his career, Gary has always shown a high level of leadership on and off the field. He is greatly respected in the English football and have been these qualities that have convinced us that it is the right choice to lead the team until the end of season."

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