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Pako Ayestaran appointed Valencia manager on two-year deal

Balague says Valencia have improved since Pako Ayestaran took charge
Image: Pako Ayestaran has been appointed Valencia manager on a two-year deal

Pako Ayestaran has been appointed Valencia manager on a two-year deal, the club announced on Tuesday.

Ayestaran, who was Rafa Benitez's assistant at Liverpool between 2004 and 2007, took over from the sacked Gary Neville in March until the end of the season.

He won three and lost three of his eight games in charge, as Valencia finished a disappointing 12th in La Liga.

The 53-year-old Spaniard has managed fewer than 100 games in his short managerial career, after stints with Mexican sides Tecos and Santos Laguna, as well as Israeli giants Maccabi Tel Aviv.

Meanwhile, Valencia assistant coach Phil Neville has said he will find out next week if he still has a future at Mestalla.

Gary Neville manager of Valencia CF faces the media during a press conference
Image: Ayestaran replaced Gary Neville on an interim basis in late March

The former Manchester United defender moved to the La Liga club last summer to become then manager Nuno Espirito Santo's right-hand man, before the latter was sacked and replaced by Phil's brother Gary.

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However, despite Gary also leaving Los Che less than four months after joining, his younger brother remained to assist then interim boss Ayestaran

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