Former ManU defender Gary Neville's appointment as Valencia head coach sees him "leave Sky Sports with immediate effect," according to Liam Corless of the London DAILY MIRROR. Neville agreed to take charge of the La Liga club until the end of the season. He joined the Sky Sports team in '11 and was "universally praised for his insightful analysis, particularly on one of the station's flagship broadcasts, Monday Night Football." However, he will not "appear on the box as either a pundit or a co-commentator for the remainder of the season." Sky Sports Managing Dir Barney Francis said, "We wish Gary all the very best as he returns to football with our blessing and begins his managerial career with Valencia. ... And of course, the door will always be open should he wish to return" (DAILY MIRROR, 12/2). The London GUARDIAN reported Graeme Souness and Jamie Carragher are "excellent at their jobs," and Thierry Henry "does a good line in sympathetic stroking, but Neville has been the prince of punditry" since he stepped into the role. Sky needs to "find a replacement." Who should it appoint? David Beckham does not "seem to have a full-time job." Sky Sports offices are based in west London, "so you never know." If Beckham is not "keen on the job," Sky could just employ Alex Ferguson. If it is looking to appoint a former manager, Tim Sherwood "is garrulous and unemployed," Brendan Rodgers "knows all the modern football jargon" and David Moyes is back in the U.K. (GUARDIAN, 12/2).
