Phil Neville starts Valencia assistant manager job

Phil Neville will come up against his old boss David Moyes in La Liga this season

Former Manchester United and England defender Phil Neville has begun his role as Valencia assistant manager.

The La Liga club, who are in this season's Champions League qualifying, announced the appointment of the 38-year-old a week ago, but he told BBC Sport the deal was not yet finalised.

However he has now started his job, taking part in pre-season training.

He replaces another Briton, Ian Cathro, who left to join Steve McClaren's backroom staff at Newcastle.

Phil Neville tweeted in English and Spanish

Neville, who will work under Valencia boss Nuno Espirito Santo, was a coach at Manchester United under David Moyes - now manager of Valencia's La Liga rivals Real Sociedad - and has been working as a television pundit.

The former United and Everton defender and midfielder, who won 59 caps for England, retired from playing two years ago. He has also had a coaching role with the England Under-21s.

Valencia owner Peter Lim has a stake in Salford City, the non-league club co-owned by Neville with his former Manchester United team-mates Ryan Giggs, Gary Neville and Paul Scholes.

Valencia finished fourth in La Liga last season and are in the final stage of qualifying for this season's Champions League, along with United.