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After a 7-0 thumping at the hands of Barcelona in the cup, is it time for Valencia head coach Gary Neville to walk away from his post at the Mestalla Stadium?

Questions were asked when the former Manchester United hero left his cushy job as a Sky Sports pundit to take the reigns of a struggling Valencia side back in December. Since arriving in Spain, the former England international has yet to win a La Liga game.

In fact, overall, Neville has only managed to take five points from a possible 24. Also, despite progressing to the latter stages of the Copa de Rey, Los Che’s 7-0 loss to Barcelona in the first leg of the semi-final, has pretty much put paid to any hopes Valencia had in the cup. They looked clueless against Barca’s superstars.

The likes of Lionel Messi, who scored a hat-trick, and Luis Suarez, who netted four, ran rings around Neville’s luckless XI, and in truth, it could have been more than seven.

 

Proud man

Gary Neville is a proud man – he won a superb eight Premier League titles, three FA Cup’s and two Champions League’s – amongst many other trophies and accolades – during an impressive 20-year Old Trafford playing career.

The ex-right-back accumulated over 500 appearances for United and won 80 caps for England. Nothing can be taken away from what the man achieved during his playing days.

However, after taking the brave move into management, it’s certainly safe to say that things have not worked out quite the way Neville had bargained for.

After a disastrous beginning to life in Spain, is now the time for the 40-year-old to step aside from the Valencia post, before any more damage is done?

 

Flailing campaign

Els Taronges have to get their flailing season back on track as soon as possible. They are currently enduring an alarming plight, which sees them in 12th position in La Liga table. Neville’s side are only five points from safety, and have not won a league game since early November. Overall, Valencia have managed just five La Liga wins all season.

Neville was brought into the club to steady Los Che’s sinking ship. Unfortunately for the ex-Red Devils favourite, it looks as though he has inflicted more damage since his arrival.

The former Sky pundit used to wow viewers with the intriguing way he spoke about the beautiful game, however, maybe a move to a demanding Valencia at that particular time in his life was the wrong call by the assistant England boss.

 

Next games crucial

With some vital La Liga fixtures against the likes of Real Betis and Espanyol on the horizon, as well as the doomed looking second leg of the Copa del Rey semi with Barca coming up, the next few weeks will certainly decide Gary Neville’s fate.

It was a huge ask for anyone to walk into the Mestalla and turn Valencia’s fortunes around, and maybe Neville should jump ship now before his reputation takes any more of a battering.

 

Written by Gareth Hinton

Follow Gareth on Twitter @Galccfc

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