Gary Neville Sacked as Valencia Manager: Latest Details, Comments, Reaction

Former Manchester United defender Gary Neville has been sacked by Valencia after a disappointing recent run of results.  

News of the 41-year-old’s departure from the club came in a statement on Wednesday after four months on the touchline. Pako Ayestaran was named head coach for the remainder of the season.

"I would like to thank Valencia Football Club, the fans, staff and the players," Neville said in a statement via Guillem Balague of Sky Sports. "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."

Neville took on the job at the Mestalla earlier in the campaign after Nuno Santo was relieved of his duties by the Spanish giants. It was the former United star’s first foray into management, and after some glittering displays as a pundit on Sky Sports, many expected big things from the England coach.

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However, after he was appointed, things did not go well for Neville. His Valencia side failed to win in his first 12 league games at the helm, but the worst moment of his tenure came at the Camp Nou, as Los Che were hammered 7-0 by a rampant Barcelona outfit in the Copa del Rey semi-final first leg.

Afterwards, Neville claimed the heavy loss was “one of the worst experiences I've ever gone through in football,” per BBC Sport. Former England striker and Match of the Day host Gary Lineker reflected on how different punditry is to managing a football team:

The final straw for the Valencia owners was the 2-0 loss to Celta Vigo on March 20, though, with Neville relieved of his duties before his contract was set to expire at the end of the campaign.

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Although his time at the Mestalla does not reflect well, there will certainly be roles for Neville in football further down the line. Whether that’s back on the television as a pundit or in a different position at a football club, this stint with Valencia does not take away from the fact he’s clearly a bright thinker and a man with some refreshing ideas about the game of football.

The Valencia job was always going to be a huge gamble and an almighty challenge for Neville, but it was a massive opportunity he couldn’t turn down. Now, with some critical experience under his belt, it’s going to be fascinating to see what this great of the English game turns his hand to next.