MX23RW : Wednesday, December 11 20:36:25| >> :120:30283:30283:

Gary Neville: 'Pako Ayestaran appointment my idea'

Gary Neville dismisses the idea that his position as head coach of Valencia is being undermined by the arrival of Pako Ayestaran.

Gary Neville has insisted that it was his idea to add Pako Ayestaran to the coaching staff at Valencia.

Neville announced at the weekend after finally registering his first league win at the 10th attempt that former Liverpool coach Ayestaran had agreed to assist him at the Mestalla.

It has resulted in suggestions that with this, along with the recent arrival of Jesus Garcia Pitarch as sporting director, Neville's position had been undermined.

However, speaking to reporters ahead of the Europa League clash against Rapid Vienna, Neville stressed that Ayestaran's appointment had been a long time coming.

'I can be absolutely 100% clear that it was my suggestion and my appointment and no-one else's," he said.

"I spoke to Jamie Carragher two weeks ago about Pako. I spoke to the president as far back as Christmas before the sporting director was appointed.

"I'm the head coach of Valencia, I will be the head coach of Valencia for the rest of this season. If I leave, Pako will leave. He's come to be part of my coaching staff."

Ayestaran, 53, had been out of work since he left Mexican side Santos Laguna last year.

ID:266637: cacheID:266637:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:2241:
Written by
Liam Apicella
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Outgoing manager Manuel Pellegrini watches on during the Premier League game between Sunderland and Manchester City on February 2, 2016
Read Next:
Pellegrini to replace Neville at Valencia?
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Barcelona17122350193138
2Real Madrid16113234132136
3Atletico MadridAtletico16105130111935
4Athletic Bilbao1795326151132
5Villarreal157532725226
6Real Sociedad167361611524
7Osasuna166642225-324
8Mallorca177371620-424
9GironaGirona166462223-122
10Celta Vigo166372527-221
11Real BetisBetis165651820-221
12Rayo Vallecano155461516-119
13Sevilla165471723-619
14Las PalmasLas Palmas165382227-518
15Getafe163761113-216
16AlavesAlaves164391827-915
17Leganes163671423-915
18Espanyol1541101528-1313
19Valencia142481322-910
20Real ValladolidValladolid1623111134-239


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!