BREAKING NEWS: Valencia sack Gary Neville after four months at the Mestalla
Jamie Clark, Sports Editor | March 30, 2016
Gary Neville has been sacked as Valencia head coach after four months in charge of Los Che. Appointed in December by owner Peter Lim, who also holds business interests in Salford City, the former Manchester United captain won just 10 of his 28 matches in charge.
“Not to my standards…”
In a statement released after parting company with the Bats, leaving them 14th in La Liga and just six points above the relegation zone, Neville said: “I would like to thank Valencia Football Club, the fans, staff and the players.
“I would have liked to have continued the work I started but understand that we are in a results business and in the 28 games (W10 D7 L11) they have not been to my standards or to those which are required by this club”.
Managerial novice Neville proved unpopular with Valencia ultras, who have called for old boss Rafael Benitez to return to the Mestalla. He is now at Newcastle United, however, but has a relegation release clause in his three-year contract on Tyneside should the Magpies lose Premier League status.
Pako in position for rest of campaign
Neville’s assistant Pako Ayestaran has been named interim Los Che head coach until the end of this season. An official club statement makes no mention of brother Phil losing his job on the backroom staff.
BREAKING: Gary Neville has 'left' Valencia after just 4 months! pic.twitter.com/P7LRL8rQmZ
— Coral (@Coral) March 30, 2016
Pako is a former assistant and also worked under Benitez at Liverpool where they won the Champions League in 2005. Neville was the sixth permanent Bats boss appointed since Unai Emery left the Mestalla in 2012, with stability a real concern for billionaire investor Lim.
Coral offer odds of 19/10 for Pako to win his Valencia bow at Las Palmas on Saturday, April 2nd.
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