Following his appointment as Valencia head coach, we look back at Gary Neville on MNF discussing the premature nature of manager sackings Following his appointment as Valencia head coach, we look back at Gary Neville on MNF discussing the premature nature of manager sackings

Gary Neville's popular punditry for Sky Sports won him praise from viewers - but also Premier League players and managers, too.

Following Neville's appointment as manager of Valencia, we look back at what key figures in the game have said about his work for Sky Sports, since he joined at the start of the 2011/12 season…

Louis van Gaal spoke about the importance of Neville's opinion to fans

Louis van Gaal, after Neville praised his Manchester United team's performances towards the end of the 2014/15 season:

"The comments of legends are always important because they have a lot of fans. And fans are listening to the legends, so it's nice for Manchester United. It's nice for the players, and also nice for the manager when legends are saying that."

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain says players respect Neville's punditry

England and Arsenal midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain on being criticised by Neville:

"He's brilliant the way he explains things, and I think he is very respectful when he says what teams need to do better and what players need to do better in a game. It's credit to him because, obviously, it could be a tricky situation where he's talking about our games on TV and then he comes to work with England, but he seems to manage to do it without any of us holding a grudge against him.

Here's some of Gary Neville's best bits from working at Sky Sports. Neville was named Valencia's head coach until the end of the season where he will work Here's some of Gary Neville's best bits from working at Sky Sports. Neville was named Valencia's head coach until the end of the season where he will work

"I have taped [Arsenal matches on Sky Sports] before to watch it, definitely. I quite like to hear what he has to say because I do believe he knows what he's talking about. If I've had a bad game, I know I've had a bad game and I don't mind hearing it. I've had 15 years of hearing it from my dad! I'm the first one to have a go at myself and then it's my dad, so if Gary wants to join in, then it's fine!"

Gary's brother Phil was appointed joint-caretaker manager at Valencia

Neville's brother Phil - who will form part of his coaching staff at Valencia - on his straight talking:

"Gary has been fantastic, he has impressed everybody. I think he has won over a lot of people, and has won over a lot of people by being honest. He is saying it how it is. That is all you can ask for from a pundit.

"'People like listening to him - I know I certainly do. The hour on a Monday night before the game is always fascinating, hearing someone talk who knows what they're talking about."

Hodgson appointed Neville to his England coaching staff ahead of Euro 2012

England boss Roy Hodgson on Neville's coaching skills, after appointing him to his coaching team:

"Gary has achieved so much in the game as a player with Manchester United and England. He has UEFA coaching qualifications and will be tremendously respected by the players because of his vast experience as a player. At my first meeting with the FA, I explained Gary was someone I wanted as part of my staff. I think it is very important we have a younger coach who knows the dressing room and is very experienced at international level. That he has represented England as a player at five major tournaments will make him an invaluable member of staff."

Neville was named Best Sports Presenter, Commentator or Pundit for a second year in a row at the 2015 Royal Television Society Programme Awards. The judges said:

"Gary showed insight, strategic knowledge and a mission to explain."

Neville was named best sports presenter, commentator or pundit in the 2014 & 2015 RTS Awards

Neville on being a Sky Sports pundit, told the Daily Express:

"It's good when people say they enjoy what you are doing, but I played at Man United for 12 years and you get lots of criticism and praise. You learn to deal with the criticism, and the praise you throw away because you just have to think about what is coming next and try to improve.

"When I started in this job, I used to watch everything back. I still watch some things and there are things I wished I'd said that were clearer. It's live TV, things move fast and you have to be as clear as you can as quickly as you can.

"What this job has done is make me appreciate, and have some sympathy, with the referees. We have five or six seconds with a replay to decide whether it should have been a penalty - they have a split-second."