Wednesday 2 December 2015 15:20, UK
Sky Sports' Martin Tyler has described Gary Neville as "an exceptional person" and hopes they have not commentated together for the last time.
On Wednesday it was announced that Neville will take over as head coach at Spanish club Valencia for the rest of the season after working at Sky Sports as a pundit and co-commentator for the last four-and-half-years.
Tyler commentated on many of Neville's finest moments during his playing days with Manchester United and paid tribute to his love of football as he embarks on his first job in full-time management.
He told Sky Sports: "Having known Gary since he was a teenager, it has been amazing to watch his development as footballer and then as a football person in a wider sense.
"First and foremost he is fundamentally a very decent man who expresses his love for football in a unique way. It has been a real privilege to work alongside him for the last four-and-a-half years.
First and foremost he is fundamentally a very decent man who expresses his love for football in a unique way.
"I'm sure we have not heard the last of him on Sky Sports and I very much hope I haven't done my last commentary - or indeed podcast - with him, but I totally understand his thinking in accepting this wonderful opportunity.
"I have felt his strong connection with football management - obviously with England but also with Salford City as well.
"Many people who have had the career he has had would not get involved in football at a lower level but it's typical of his passion for the game and his commitment to it at all levels.
"As you can imagine, with my connection with non-league football (as coach at Hampton and Richmond) we have had some deep discussions about that level of the game - and one led to a pre-season friendly between Hampton and Richmond and Salford City on August 1.
"He is an exceptional person, a force of nature and I personally wish him every success in this new chapter in his life.
"I'm sure he will make a real go of it. He always does."
