Gary Neville’s time as Valencia’s head coach is over after less than four months. The club announced on Wednesday that the former Manchester United defender was leaving with immediate effect.
Neville was appointed in early December on a contract until the end of this season, with a view to reassessing his position in the summer, but results have failed to match expectations and the fans have turned against him in growing numbers.
Valencia are 14th in La Liga, six points above the relegation zone, having won only three of 16 league matches under Neville. The club went out of the Champions League, Europa League and Copa del Rey on his watch.
The most recent defeat, by Celta Vigo, prompted chants of “Gary, vete ya!” (Gary, go now!) in significant numbers for the first time. Neville said he would not resign but delayed his departure to join the England coaching team for the friendlies against Germany and Holland.
He was due to resume club duties with a match against Las Palmas, the team immediately below Valencia, on Saturday.
Neville was a shock appointment by Valencia, whose owner, Peter Lim, is a friend and business partner of the former England international. Neville stepped down from his role as a pundit to take his first job as a No1 there.
Neville had privately accepted recently that he would not continue as Valencia coach next season, aware that he had not done enough to merit a new contract, but had expected to see out this campaign. Valencia have eight games remaining.
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Source: Guardian