After taking a bold move and upping sticks for Spain, Gary Neville's time as Valencia manager has come to an end after just four months.
The results simply did not improve to the satisfaction of the board, and after losing the confidence of the fans it seemed inevitable that Neville would get the boot, and Valencia confirmed the news on their official site this evening:
Valencia Football Club have today parted company with Gary Neville as Head Coach.
After careful consideration, the Club have decided to make a change with the best interests of the Valencia CF moving forward this season. We thank Gary for his work at Valencia and wish him the best in the future.
The Club have, today, appointed Pako Ayestaran as Head Coach until the end of the season.
So the big question... What does this mean for Monday Night Football? Neville will likely want to focus on his coaching role with England at Euro 2016, but we can expect blunt honesty whenever he does appear to give his account of what happened.
A quick look at his record as manager suggests this decision would always come sooner rather than later, but some had hoped he would be given the chance to shape the team in his own style.
Gary Neville's La Liga record at Valencia:
DDLDLDDLLWWLWLLL
Games: 16
Goals: 14
Conceded: 25
Clean sheets: 0 https://t.co/ObDFISbxdm— Squawka Football (@Squawka) March 30, 2016
The former Manchester United captain released a short statement after the news broke, and he's not giving much away which is entirely fair enough:
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.
What is interesting now is what becomes of his assistant manager Pako Ayestarán, who has been put in temporary charge but Neville had previously claimed that if he was sacked, then Ayestarán would follow. And what about Phil Neville?
Once the dust settles we'll update you on the situation.
