In recent La Liga news, head coach Gary Neville was fired from his job by Valencia after only four months. There were demands for Neville to quit after the team lost to Barcelona 7-0 in the first leg of the semi-final match in the Copa del Rey in February 2016.
The Spanish club confirmed the report on their website on Mar. 30, 2016. “Valencia Football Club have today parted company with Gary Neville as Head Coach,” the La Liga statement read.
Valencia continued that they carefully considered the circumstances and decided to remove their head coach for the best interests of the club in the current season. They proceeded to thank Neville for his efforts and wished him well.
BBC reports that Neville expressed how he wanted to stay with the club but the results were not according to his standards or those required by the La Liga club. He said that he understands how they are in the “results business.”
Neville, 41, is a former player of Manchester United and has been working as head coach of Valencia and a member of the England coaching team. He was criticized in Spain for simultaneously working with the England squad, but he stated to La Liga that he was strongly committed to Valencia.
Neville led Valencia to only three victories in 16 league games. His final game with the team was a loss at home against Celta Vigo before the international break. In the week before he was fired, Neville, spent time with the England team for their friendly matches in Germany. He also spent time in the Netherlands and was supposed to return to Spain to prepare for Valencia’s La Ligagame against Las Palmas. Neville exited the La Liga club but his younger brother, Phil, will remain in the Valencia coaching staff.
IBN Live reveals that in the meantime, PakoAyestaran was appointed to replace Neville until the end of the season. Ayestaran was an assistant coach at the Mestalla.
The Spanish club is currently in 14th place in La Liga. Overall, the squad won 10 out of 28 games. The team only has eight games left and is six points away from the La Liga relegation zone. Valencia is still set to play against Barcelona, Real Madrid, Sevilla and Villarreal before the season ends.
Valencia has yet to make an announcement on who will take over the team in the next season. More La Liga updates and news are expected soon.
