The Englishman is up against it after failing to secure a Liga victory and is on the brink following last week's 7-0 loss at Camp Nou - defeat on Wednesday could spell the end
Gary Neville has hit rock bottom at Valencia. Still without a win after nine matches in La Liga, the Copa del Rey had been a welcome distraction until last week's 7-0 loss at Barcelona. Now, the Englishman needs to turn things around - and quickly - starting against the Blaugrana again on Wednesday.
The former Manchester United and England right-back described the loss at Camp Nou as his "worst experience in football", but rejected calls for his resignation - among them former Valencia goalkeeper Santiago Canizares.
Goal understands that sporting director Jesus Garcia Pitarch, who told television cameras that the Barca defeat was one of the worst in the club's history, was ready to sack Neville after the Camp Nou catastrophe.
However, Garcia Pitarch has only been in the job for a matter of weeks and at the moment Neville retains the support of owner Peter Lim. And the sporting director, keen to stay in the good books of his new employer, wants to avoid conflict with the Asian billionaire - especially at this early stage.
No other coach has been offered the post, with Garcia Pitarch conscious that Neville still has the support of Lim. However, with the club now just four points above the drop zone in the Primera Division and still reeling after the embarrassing loss last week, patience with the England coach is running out.
"This is my 30th press conference or so since taking charge of Valencia and I always get asked the same questions," Neville said on Tuesday. "The fans don't want words, though. All we can do is start winning games. I only want to focus on football. I am determined to give the fans what they want. They care a lot about this club and make sacrifices for Valencia. We want to make them happy."
However, the 40-year-old has already been booed, jeered and insulted by angry fans both during games, at the training ground and getting off the team bus. "Go home Gary," one supporter shouted last week in one of the milder messages he has received. "This is not your place."
As the weeks go by, that seems increasingly the case and Neville must wonder if it would have been better to accept a more modest club instead of a team expecting to be among Europe's elite and always struggling to please one of the more demanding fanbases in Spain.
FULL STORY | Neville won't quit after Barca beating
One man who did please those supporters was Rafa Benitez. During his time at Valencia, the Spanish coach led the club to two Liga titles (in 2002 and 2004) and also a Uefa Cup. And on his recent visit with Real Madrid to Mestalla (which ended up being his last game in charge of Los Blancos), he was met with a banner which read: "Rafa, you gave us the best years of our lives. Thank you!"
Benitez, out of work since early January, is a logical choice to take over if and when Neville's ill-fated reign reaches its conclusion. Goal understands the club have not been in contact with the 55-year-old yet, but Garcia Pitarch does boast an excellent relationship with his representative Manuel Garcia Quillon and talks could take place soon if Lim decides he has had enough of the former Manchester United full-back.
So as Rafa's shadow looms large at Mestalla, Neville needs to start winning games. And even though there is virtually no chance of turning around this semi-final tie after last Wednesday's 7-0 loss, the 40-year-old will at least face a Barca side without Lionel Messi, Neymar and Luis Suarez at Mestalla.
"The difficult thing for Gary from the beginning was that he was going to a foreign country where he doesn't speak the language – that's a big problem," former United team-mate Rio Ferdinand told Goal.
"Then it is about coaching and getting the best out of your players and at the moment he hasn't been able to get the results but I am sure he will. He is a resolute and determined guy and it will be nice to see him get a win."
Not that one win in a dead-rubber will be enough. But it would be a start and would help his fragile players to gain some much-needed confidence for the crucial weeks ahead in La Liga. Lose again on Wednesday, though, and his precarious position could just become untenable.
- Goal