Gary Neville to Valencia: Owner Peter Lim gives Sky pundit chance to put words into action

Gary Neville had everything he needed to step into elite management, except for that one elusive thing: the right opportunity. He had the football brain he shows off every Monday night, the authority that comes from his career, the clear conception of how the game should be played, the communication skills to convey that, and so much more.

The only thing missing was a job, a place to put his skills to work, and now, thanks to his unlikely friendship with Peter Lim, he has that, too.

Even those who know Neville well were surprised to hear that his first club job would be with Valencia. Neville is going to a league he has never played in, working in a language he does not speak. Neville’s contract is for only six months and few are expecting him to stay at Valencia for years and build a dynasty. But he now has a platform.

Since his retirement in 2011, Neville has established himself as the most authoritative voice on the English game. The incisive quality and depth of his television punditry is unprecedented in the field, while his work with Roy Hodgson has helped to mould a new young England team, built in the image of his own hunger and intensity.

No one who has worked with Neville has been in any doubt that he would become a manager at the top level of the game. All he had been waiting for was his first opportunity. Now that Neville has his first job he has the chance to prove himself, and to show that he is capable of handling a big job back home.

The two roles Neville looks lined up for are with the only two teams he ever represented. Both England and Manchester United have veteran managers with uncertain futures. Both club and country are crying out for a younger successor, especially one familiar with the fabric of the institution.

Now that Neville has his opening in management, he becomes likelier to take over either of those roles. At United, he moves ahead of Ryan Giggs, Louis van Gaal’s anointed successor, who does not have experience of the type Neville will start accumulating this week.

All of which means that Neville might feel grateful to the Singaporean businessman Peter Lim, the majority owner of Valencia, for giving him his big opportunity in management. Even before his appointment, Lim had been an enthusiastic investor in and adviser to two of Neville’s business projects, Salford City FC and Hotel Football.

But Lim must also feel grateful to Neville, and the rest of the Class of ’92, who have helped him to acquire what few other billionaires can: football authenticity.

Lim grew up in Singapore, the son of a fisherman. He paid his way through university in Australia by working as a taxi driver, fast-food waiter and cook. He worked as an accountant and then as a stock-broker. His most successful investment was in his friend’s palm oil start-up Wilmar International, buying a $10m stake in 1991. In 2010 he sold it for $1.5bn.

With that money Lim tried to buy his way into football, as many billionaires have before. He made an offer for Liverpool in 2010, but they were sold to Fenway Sports Group instead. In October 2014 Lim succeeded in buying Valencia, rescuing the financially stricken club and allowing them to buy players again, after years of selling their best assets.

open image in gallery

Earlier this year Lim completed a deal to buy Cristiano Ronaldo’s image rights for six years, through his Hong Kong-based company Mint Media. Ronaldo praised the “entrepreneurial savvy” of his “good friend” Lim.

Those purchases, at the top end of the game, are fairly common for a billionaire seeking association with the glamorous side of football. Lim is following in the footsteps of Dmitri Rybolovlev, Roman Abramovich and many more.

What is more interesting is what Lim has done in the UK. He owns 50 per cent of Salford City, along with the Class of ’92, including both Neville brothers, who now work together for Lim at Valencia. He also has a stake in Hotel Football, Gary Neville and Ryan Giggs’ hotel and restaurant overlooking Old Trafford.

Lim has been close to that generation of United players since they toured Singapore in the summer of 2001. Lim is a Manchester United supporter and, through his business dealings with the Class of ’92, has tried to develop an authority by association. He is close to the club’s greatest generation of modern players, as well as being tied to another United great in Ronaldo.

If the Glazer family was ever open to selling the club, Lim would certainly be interested in buying it. He has the money and now has the expertise in football. And in Neville, and in the rest of the Class of ’92, who now work with him and for him, he has the men to run it.

“Gutted! This reminds me of when Pegguy Arphexad left for Coventry.”

Monday Night Football co-presenter Jamie Carragher

“Gary has many attrributes that suggest he will be successful in management. His leadership skills are strong, he’s honest and he’s hard-working. He is the type of character who is not afraid of making big decisions, which is a vital skill when leading.”

Sir Alex Ferguson

“Congratulations @GNev2 great opportunity for you wish you and @fizzer18 (Phil Neville) the best of luck.”

Glenn Hoddle

“Fantastic move... And more importantly 1 Step nearer him being next England Boss.....”

Former England cricket captain Michael Vaughan