GARY NEVILLE was appointed Valencia head coach for the rest of the season yesterday, in a shock appointment by millionaire owner Peter Lim.

Lim has a 50 per cent stake in non-league club Salford City, with the rest of it owned by Manchester United’s Class of 92 members Ryan Giggs, Nicky Butt, Paul Scholes and Gary and Phil Neville.

The United legend retired from football in 2011 and joined Sky Sports as a pundit, quickly becoming one of the best in the business.

He later became Roy Hodgson’s assistant at England and, though it has long been touted that Neville had an eye on becoming a manager in the future, the football world were surprised by his sudden appointment at the La Liga club.

He said in a statement: “I am absolutely thrilled to be given this opportunity with Valencia.

“Valencia are a huge football club of immense standing and I know from my time as a player the passion and dedication of the Valencia fans.

“I am really looking forward to working with the club’s talented group of players and am excited about the challenge ahead.”

Younger brother Phil will be his number two. Phil is currently assistant to interim manager Nuno who will take charge for Sunday’s clash against Barcelona, and their first official match in charge will be the must-win Champions League match at home to Lyon on December 9.

Neville has left Sky Sports with immediate effect but will keep his role as England coach, with Hodgson saying that Neville’s new position can only benefit the national side.

“I’m delighted that Gary has decided to take this excellent opportunity,” he said.

“It’s the right moment in time for him and I’m 100 per cent behind his decision to join Valencia as the new head coach.

“As far as I’m concerned, this will be an extra string to his bow and the experience he will gain working in the Spanish league can only be beneficial to our work together with the England team.

“Gary’s commitment to the FA’s preparations for Euro 2016 will not be in any way affected by the fact that he will be coaching abroad during the next five months.”

Valencia were First Division champions in 2002 and 2004, following appearances in the 2000 and 2001 Champions League finals.

Los Che currently sit ninth in the league standings and have been without a coach since Nuno quit following Sunday’s 1-0 loss to Sevilla — a decision the Portuguese informed Lim of prior to kick-off.