He's a former Manchester United great who has made a name for himself as one of Britain's most respected soccer pundits.
But Gary Neville is quitting the bright lights of TV to take up his first ever head coach position -- at Spanish club Valencia.
The 40-year-old will combine his new job with his role as part of Roy Hodgson's coaching set up with the England national team.
Neville won eight English Premier League titles and two European Champions League crowns as a player, forging a dynamic partnership with David Beckham.
After retiring from the game he took up a role with Sky Sports, analyzing Premier League matches as part of their live coverage. Sky said he will always be welcome back.
Neville joins his brother Phil, also a former United player, at Valencia. The 38-year-old has been on the coaching staff under Nuno Espírito Santo, who resigned on November 30.
The club is currently ninth in La Liga, having last won the league title in 2004. Neville's contract runs until the end of the current season.
In a statement on the official club website Neville said: "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."
Neville will take charge of the team after it faces current Spanish champions Barcelona on Saturday. His first match will be against Lyon in the Champions League on December 9.
The Nevilles are joint-owners of non-league English side Salford Town, along with other former United players Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes and Nicky Butt.
Salford are half owned by Singaporean businessman and investor Peter Lim, who also owns Valencia.
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