Valencia Fires Manager Gary Neville

His assistant Pako Ayestaran, has been named as his successor until the end of the season, with eight games left.

Neville, who is also the assistant England manager, was expected to depart at the end of the season, however, club owner Peter Lim, Neville’s friend and business partner, was put under so much pressure amid fears the Spanish club could be dragged into the relegation battle.

News that the supporters were now calling for Neville’s head made the front page of the sports section of the ‘Straits Times’ in Singapore where it made uncomfortable reading for club owner.

He replaced former coach, Nuno Espirito Santo in December and on the day he was appointed, Valencia were in ninth place in La Liga but just five points off the top four, and averaging 1.46 points per game. Neville leaves them 14th, with 20 points separating them from fourth-placed Villarreal but six points off the bottom three. The point’s average in his time is 0.88.

He managed 28-games for the club, winning just 10, drawing 7 and losing 7. With a win percentage of 35.7%.

Valencia’s crushing defeat by Barcelona was their heaviest in a Spanish cup match since 1928. They have conceded 25 goals in 16 games.

The 41-year old English man, who is understood to have expected bad news following his return from England duty, thanked the Spanish club for the opportunity.

“I would like to thank Valencia, the fans, staff and the players,” he told valenciacf.com. “I would have liked to have continued the work I started.

“But I understand that we are in a results business and in the 28 games (10 wins, seven draws and 11 losses) they have not been to my standards or to those which are required by this club.”