Gary Neville believes he would have said "goodbye to his credibility" had he not taken the job of Valencia coach.
Neville was appointed at Mestalla on Wednesday on a deal until the end of the season and, although he will continue to work as one of England boss Roy Hodgson's assistants, he is giving up his role as a pundit on Sky television.
Asked why he was replacing the relative ease of the studio for the dugout, he replied: "I have been offered jobs in football over the past five years but the timing never felt right. But when I received the call on Sunday evening I thought 'what a club, what an opportunity, what a challenge'.
"From my point of view, sitting on TV over the past few years, talking about coaches, the time has now come to stand up.
"This is a wonderful club and if I had turned down this job I would have said goodbye to my credibility."
Neville admits that if he was analysing the appointment in his previous role, he would have doubts.
"I'd question it as a neutral observer, I'd be sceptical and want to be proved different," he added.
"I know I need to prove myself to the Valencia players and fans that I can do this job. Those doubts can only be wiped out by good results."
Former Manchester United and England full-back Neville, who will be assisted by brother Phil and former Valencia forward Miguel Angel Angulo, concedes learning the language will be his hardest task.
He said: "Spanish is going to be my biggest challenge as I don't speak the language.
"I will take lessons every day but I can't find a teacher who will get up at 6am to give me lessons! I want to do what Philip has done, his Spanish is fantastic in terms of talking to the players and I have to show that same level of commitment."
