at Valencia was a PR stunt as "ludicrous" and a "fantasy
story".
The former Manchester United defender was named the
surprise successor to Nuno Espirito Santo in December,
having worked as a TV punding and coach for England since
his retirement.
A newspaper in Spain claimed Valencia owner Peter Lim told
agent Jorge Mendes to find a coach the Portuguese didn't
represent to dispel suggestions he had too much influence
at the club.
staying in football management beyond his current job, is
adamant this is not the case.
"I've never heard anything so ludicrous in my lie," he said at
a press conference. "It's a fantasy story with absolutely no
truth whatsoever.
"I don't really know what to say, to be honest with you. It's
just nonsense.
"In England I would use a swear word, but I'm not quite sure
the translator will be able to get it in the correct context.
Neville also touched on Madrid's sacking of Rafael Benitez,
just a day after the club drew 2-2 against his side, admitting
he was disappointed to hear the news.
"Having been in the media of football and broadcasting for
the last four-and-a-half years, I'm never surprised by
anything I see in respect of managers losing their jobs.
"It's never something I wanted when I wasn't a coach, and
it's not something I want to see when I am a coach.
"But I'm not surprised by anything I see in football any
more. The average tenure of manager and coach is getting
shorter, unfortunately, but we have to accept it."
Zinedine Zidane has replaced the outgoing Spaniard, despite having no first-team coaching experience, which Neville believes is similar to his own situation.
"I did not shy away from fact I had not coached before as a
head coach. It is a very difficult job," he said. "Everybody
has to coach their first game once: even the more
experienced coaches did that.
"The idea there is a perfect, template coach does not exist.
Experienced coaches fail, young coaches succeed, and vice-
versa. Everybody needs an opportunity, like I got here."
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