Manchester United legend Paul Scholes has welcomed the news that Valencia have appointed his former teammate Gary Neville as their new coach.

The 40-year-old, who has no managerial experience, was named as Nuno Espirito Santo's successor at the Mestalla this week in a move which shocked the football world.

However, Neville has worked alongside England boss Roy Hodgson as a coach in recent years, and Scholes says that the ex-Sky Sports pundit is ready to make his mark.

"It is a great opportunity for Gaz and knowing him well he is brilliant at whatever he does," he told BBC Sport.

"I am sure he has prepared for this for the last four or five years. It is not a big surprise to him, but I think it is brilliant that a big club like Valencia have taken a chance on a young English coach."

Neville, who will watch on from the stands when Valencia face Barcelona on Saturday, will kick off his tenure in Wednesday's Champions League visit of Lyon.