Axed Neville will delay Sky return

SKY have asked Gary Neville to return to their ranks but the sacked Valencia manager will stay in Spain for the time being to consider his options. Neville was dismissed after a dismal run of results and knew of his exit before joining up with Roy Hodgson’s England team last week. The former Manchester United defender was axed despite maintaining several business links with Peter Lim, the billionaire owner of the Spanish club. Neville’s next role will be to focus on this summer’s European Championships in his role as assistant to Hodgson before deciding whether to go back to England. He has not ruled out a return to

Sky in the long run, where he performed a popular analytical double act with Sportsmail’s Jamie Carragher. Neville conceded last night that just 10 wins from the 28 games that represented his four-month spell in charge was not good enough. But he was still surprised by the move to oust him and had expected to be given until the end of the season to complete his role in Spain. It is understood, however, that Neville knew before joining up with the England squad last Thursday that Valencia’s slide towards relegation danger had forced Lim and the hierarchy at the Mestalla to act now amid cries from fans — and the local Press — to dismiss him. ElMundo columnist Inma Lidon began referring to him as the becario (the intern) in her editorials, and the idea that an Englishman was doing his work experience at one of Spain’s most historic clubs began to take hold and leave an unpleasant taste with Valencia’s supporters. The calls for his departure became more and more hostile, with Valencia having won just three of their 16 league games under his stewardship, and his last match in charge was a 2-0 home defeat by Celta Vigo just before the international break. Keen not to make himself the centre of the story with England, it is believed Neville asked the club to delay any announcement on his departure until his return from international duty yesterday. As things stand, his younger brother, Phil, is expected to remain at the club in a coaching role. That said, it remains to be seen if he can build a successful working relationship with Pako Ayestaran, who was only recently recruited by the club but is now in temporary charge until a permanent replacement for Neville is found. The La Liga club are believed to be interested in Manchester City’s Manuel Pellegrini, and his representatives have already met Valencia sporting director Jesus Garcia Pitarch. The Chilean is leaving the Etihad Stadium to make way for Pep Guardiola this summer. Meanwhile, a statement published on valenciacf.com yesterday read: ‘Valencia have today terminated the contractual relationship with first-team coach Gary Neville. ‘After carefully analysing the situation, the club have decided to make this change in the best interests of Valencia when looking toward the rest of the season. ‘The club thank Gary Neville for his work and wish him the best of luck for the future.’ In his own statement, Neville said: ‘I want to thank Valencia, the fans, the coaching staff and players. ‘I would have liked to continue the work I started, but I understand that we are in a business based on results and in 28 games we have seen 10 wins, seven draws and 11 defeats, which is not the level demanded by me or by this club.’