Gary Neville leaving Sky Sports to become head coach of Valencia

Some bad news if you like Monday Night Football, but some good news if your surname’s Neville and you once played Premier League football…

Yes, Gary Neville is to leave his Sky Sports post with immediate effect, having just been named the head coach of Valencia where he’ll join his brother Phil - already a coach at the club.

Narrowly avoiding a baptism of fire in the shape of a looming match vs Barcelona, Gary takes over on Sunday 6 December, ahead of a Champions League tie against Lyon at Mestalla on 9 December, leaving his sibling Phil, who remains joint interim manager with fellow coach Salvador Gonzalez 'Voro' to bring the Catalan club's recent run of good form to a halt.

Speaking of the move, the former Manchester United man said:

“Sky has probably been one of the best decisions I have ever made, simply an incredible job that I have loved doing. The team that I have worked with on match days and MNF have been simply unbelievable, their knowledge of the game, their passion, their work ethos has made me love football more.

 “No one understands football better than Sky Sports, so it has been no surprise that they have fully supported and understood the decision that I have made to go to Valencia for the next five months."

Sky Sports managing director Barney Francis added:

"We wish Gary all the very best as he returns to football with our blessing and begins his managerial career with Valencia. He will always be a friend of Sky Sports and we look forward to following the next chapter of his career closely, not least during our weekly La Liga coverage. And of course, the door will always be open should he wish to return."

Who knows, maybe he’ll occasionally pop up in the La Liga Studio for a glass of sherry with Guillem Balague in that weird faux tapas restaurant. With a teary-eyed Jamie Carragher pressing his hands against the window outside.

Don't worry Jamie, we'll miss him too.