Gary Neville to delay joining up with England squad

Gary Neville will delay joining up with the England squad as he fights for his job with Valencia.

The 41-year-old, who is Roy Hodgson’s assistant, was due to meet up with the Three Lions squad on Tuesday ahead of friendlies with Germany and Holland.

But a 2-0 home defeat to Celta Vigo on Sunday, which was a third league loss in a row, saw Valencia fans call for his head and Neville said staying in Spain is “the right thing to do”.

He will now head to England 48 hours later after taking Valencia training on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.

"I've just spoken to Roy Hodgson, I'm going to stay back in Valencia, I feel it's the right thing to do," he said in a press conference.

“I will go on Thursday afternoon, the players have got a break on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, so from that point of view I’m only going to miss one and a half sessions.”

It is the first time he is due to take time away from his job in Spain to carry on his coaching commitments with England since taking the job in December.

“Obviously it’s not an ideal situation, in respect to the fact that before I came here I was the assistant coach for the national team of England, with 60 million people, but I understand the two or three million people in Valencia deserve my time this week,” Neville added.

“The last thing I want levelled at me when I leave here is that is Gary Neville lacks commitment, because it’s not something that’s ever been said about me in my life.

“I have to say that I have dual roles at this moment in time. I was an English coach for three and a half years and I love doing that but they are friendly matches. They are very important matches for England but we have three important days training here.

“I have come to love this club and city, I want to give my all to the club, they deserve nothing less.”