Thierry Henry: Expectation level at Valencia is not normal
Sunday 3 April 2016 18:00, UK
Thierry Henry has described the level of expectation at Valencia as "not normal" following the sacking of Gary Neville.
The former Manchester United defender took over at the Spanish club - his first full-time managerial role - in December, but was axed this week after only four months in charge.
He enjoyed only 10 wins in 28 games - including a nine-game win-less streak in La Liga - and the club are currently only six points above the relegation zone.
But Henry, who won two La Liga titles with Barcelona, felt the club and its supporters put unrealistic demands on Neville.
"The level of expectation at Valencia is not normal," he told Sky Sports.
"It's not normal because their fans and the press over there expect that team to be battling with Real Madrid and Barcelona when we all know they are not in that bracket yet.
"That's where he was going. He was going to a team where if you don't play good football and you don't wain straight away, the fans are going to have a little go at you."
During his time in charge, Neville guided Valencia to the semi-finals of the Copa del Rey and produced a thumping 10-0 aggregate win over Rapid Vienna in the Europa League.
But after finishing fourth last season, Henry felt the supporters demanded better results in the Spanish league.
"I think it's difficult," he added.
"When you look at his overall stats, it's 10 wins and 11 defeats, which is not that bad. It's just that in the league it didn't happen for him.
"Valencia is a big club with a big stadium and big fans, but the level of expectation sometimes doesn't match the team that they have.
"It was always going to be difficult for him."
