Valencia vs Lyonnais: Gary Neville staying calm ahead of managerial debut

Gary Neville wants to make the Mestalla Stadium a "horrible place" for teams to visit, beginning against Lyon.

The new Valencia head coach will take charge of his team for the first time - and make his managerial debut - on Wednesday night in a must-win Champions League clash, but Neville insists he remains "calm and relaxed."

Valencia, third in Group H, need to win and hope that second-placed Gent fail to beat a Zenit St Petersburg side who have a 100 per cent record so far, to leapfrog the Belgians and qualify for the knock-out stages for the first time in three years.

"There is a fascination now with the style of play - possession and counter-attack - but can't we play both? I believe in both. I want Mestalla to be a horrible place for all other teams," the former Manchester United and England right-back told Spanish newspaper AS.

"I'm focused on staying calm. It is impossible to get all your ideas through to your players within 48 hours. We have to keep it simple and we have been working on very basic things.

"I don't feel anxious. Maybe as a player I did, but as a coach I don't feel like that, I feel relaxed. I am in work mode."

Neville, who replaces Nuno Espirito Santo, insists every players starts with a clean slate - and that includes former Manchester City striker Alvaro Negredo.

Negredo has been in exile since October after falling out with the former boss but Neville is set to involve him against Lyon.

"I spoke with the players on Monday morning for about 15 to 20 minutes," he said. "I explained to them that every single player has an opportunity to play - I don't treat any of them differently.

"I have talked to him (Negredo). He has been two or three months without playing but for me he is part of the team. We will try to get him ready as soon as possible because he has been out two or three months."

Elsewhere for Neville, Ruben Vezo is suspended while Andre Gomes, Diego Alves, Antonio Baragan and Rodrigo are also out injured. Javi Fuego and Shkodran Mustafi are doubts but could feature.

Lyon are also hampered by injuries with Nabil Fekir, Gueida Fofana, Aldo Kalulu and Christophe Jallet out, while Jordan Ferri is suspended.

The French club are bottom of the group and already eliminated from all European competitions after taking just one point from their five games.