Valencia Sacks Gary Neville As It's Head Coach

Gary Neville 

Gary Neville has been sacked as first-team coach of Valencia after less than four months in the job, Sky News reports. 

The former England defender will be replaced until the end of the season by Pako Ayestaran, who was assistant coach of Valencia from 2001 to 2004."

After careful consideration, the club have decided to make a change with the best interests of Valencia CF moving forward this season," the La Liga club said in a statement on its website.

"We thank Gary for his work at Valencia and wish him the best in the future." Neville, 41, has responded with a separate statement, saying: "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 they have not been to my standards or to those which are required by this Club".

The former Manchester United player was appointed the surprise successor to former coach Nuno Espirito Santo on 2 December.

He had been combining the job with his role as part of the England coaching team and had just returned from the national side's friendlies against Germany and the Netherlands.

The rookie manager has had a rocky four months as Valencia coach.Despite help from his brother and former teammate Phil, who joined Valencia as assistant coach last year, Gary has guided the six-time Spanish champions to just three wins in 16 games.

He leaves Valencia languishing in 14th place in La Liga, six points clear of the relegation zone with eight games remaining.His last game at the helm was a 2-0 home defeat to Celta Vigo.

Neville had faced strong criticism in Spain for carrying on his England duties after taking the helm at Valencia.Last week he delayed meeting up with Roy Hodgson's squad by several days in an attempt to show his commitment to his club.Phil Neville is to continue as assistant coach.

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