Valencia’s Singaporean owner Peter Lim has sought to clarify Gary Neville’s abrupt departure as coach last month, saying the decision was “mutually and amicably agreed between both sides”.
Neville was sacked four months after arriving at the Mestalla, and days after fans had chanted for him to leave during a 2-0 defeat against Celta Vigo.
When he took over on 2 December Valencia were ninth in the table, five points off the Champions League places – but he did not secure a league win until his 10th match, leaving Valencia 14th, just six points above the relegation zone.
They were also knocked out of the Champions League in Neville’s first game in charge, eliminated from the Europa League at the hands of Athletic Bilbao, and were hammered 7-0 by Barcelona in the Copa del Rey semi-final – a game described by the sporting director, Suso García Pitarch, as “one of the worst in our history”.
Talking via a spokesman to The Straits Times, Lim, who has close business links with “the Class of 92” – the Neville brothers, Ryan Giggs, Nicky Butt and Paul Scholes – said the decision had been mutually agreed, and denied reports that he had been on holiday when it was reached.
“This decision was carefully considered and made with the best interests of the club moving forward,” the spokesman said. “Gary had also endorsed the appointment of his assistant manager Pako Ayestaran as his replacement. The timing was agreed beforehand with Gary to take place after the international break so as to minimise disruption to the Valencia team.
“Mr Peter Lim was fully involved in all key aspects of the decision and was not, as some reports have portrayed, away in Bali on holiday throughout the process. On the day of the announcement, Mr Lim was away in Bali on a business trip and not for a holiday.”
After his exit, Neville released a statement saying: “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.”
