The world was shocked on Wednesday when Gary Neville, not Phil, was named as manager of Valencia. The news seemed to come from nowhere just a few days after Phil was promoted to take charge of the team on a temporary basis following the departure of Nuno.
For the most part, the news has been warmly received by most, but one Valencia legend isn't happy. Spanish goalkeeper Santiago Canizares played 416 games for Valencia in his ten years at the club, and tweeted out his opposition to the appointment.
In his four tweet rant, Canizares seems to suggest that Neville's business partnership with Valencia owner Peter Lim is the only reason why he was hired ahead of other names, and there is no way that the former United legend would have been given the job otherwise. Canizares makes sure to point out his problem is with Peter Lim and the process that saw Neville hired, rather than to disrespect Neville, but it's clear the passionate keeper isn't pleased.
1.- Gary dirige el Valencia fruto de su amistad con Lim. Adivinar si es buen o mal entrenador es precisamente eso: una adivinanza...
— SANTIAGO CAÑIZARES (@santicanizares) December 4, 2015
"Gary takes control of Valencia as a result of his friendship with Lim. Whether he is a good or bad coach is just a guess. A riddle..."
2.- Da la sensación de que Lim es un tipo muy desconfiado; y ha elegido al amigo y socio que tiene con carnet de entrenador...
— SANTIAGO CAÑIZARES (@santicanizares) December 4, 2015
"Lim seems to be very suspicious, and he has chosen a friend and partner who has a coaching license...2
3.- Gary es un hombre de fútbol, que se ha ganado el respeto de todos por su trabajo. Ojalá tuviéramos once Garys en el Valencia.
— SANTIAGO CAÑIZARES (@santicanizares) December 4, 2015
" Gary is a football man, who has earned respect through his work. I wish we had eleven Garys at Valencia"
4.- Pero el problema sigue dentro; sin dirección deportiva, ni criterio deportivo... si las cosas salen bien es fruto de la casualidad.
— SANTIAGO CAÑIZARES (@santicanizares) December 4, 2015
"But the problem remains, there is no management or criteria met for his... if it goes well its a coincidence.
That's some strong stuff from Canizares.
