Valencia sack Gary Neville as manager after less than four months in charge

New Delhi: Spanish football club Valencia has sacked Gary Neville as the manager of the club on Wednesday after less than four months in charge.

Neville, 41, joined the La Liga outfit in December as his first managerial job. The Manchester United legend was part of the England coaching set-up.

Valencia could only manage to win three of their 16 league games under Neville, and 10 of 28 games overall. Former Liverpool assistant manager Pako Ayestaran, 53, will take charge for the rest of the season.

His younger brother and former United team-mate Phil is part of the Valencia coaching team.

Interestingly, Valencia owner Peter Lim also co-owns Salford City along with the Neville brothers and former Manchester United team-mates Ryan Giggs, Nicky Butt and Paul Scholes.

Neville retired in 2011 after 602 United appearances and 85 England caps. He won 16 trophies at United and represented his country at five major tournaments.

Six-time Spanish champions Valencia are 14th in the table, six points clear of the relegation zone with eight games remaining.

When Neville took over on December 2, Valencia were ninth in the table, five points off the Champions League places.