Gary Neville says he appointed Pako Ayesteran at Valencia
Wednesday 17 February 2016 22:39, UK
Gary Neville says it was his decision alone to appoint Pako Ayesteran to the Valencia coaching staff.
Rafa Benitez's former Liverpool assistant will work alongside Phil Neville and Miguel Angel Angulo under the boss, who secured his first La Liga win against Espanyol at the weekend.
And Neville has revealed he took the advice of former Sky Sports colleague Jamie Carragher, who played under Ayesteran at Anfield, before making the appointment.
"I can be absolutely 100 per cent clear that it was my suggestion and my appointment and no one else's," said Neville, who denied the move was down to newly-arrived sporting director Jesus Garcia Pitarch.
"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.
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"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.
"I understand it might look like there's something going on. There absolutely isn't. After about 10 or 14 days, I recognised I needed to strengthen the coaching set-up. I feel more comfortable already."
