Primera Liga: Valencia appoint Pako Ayestaran as permanent manager

Pako Ayestaran has signed a two-year contract as manager of Primera Liga side Valencia, according to an official announcement released by the club. Ayestaran has been the assistant of Rafa Benitez at Liverpool between 2004 and 2007. He took over at Valencia in March after Gary Neville was sacked but only managed to lead Valencia to a disappointing 12th place finish. He won three of his eight matches in charge, lost three and drew two. Before the Valencia job he has managed Mexican sides Tecos and Santos Laguna, plus Israeli outfit Maccabi Tel Aviv. Phil Neville, who is still in charge as assistant manager at Valencia, is unsure about his future at the club. He had moved to the club last summer as an assistant to manager Nuno Espirito Santo, then the Portuguese got sacked and replaced by Phil's younger brother Gary Neville. The reign of the former Manchester United defender lasted just four months, but Phil remained in charge as assistant to interim boss Pako Ayestaran. Valencia are a club with a great tradition in Spanish football. They have won six Primera Liga titles, the last of them in 2004, clinched the Copa del Rey seven times and also won the UEFA Cup in 2004. Rafa Benitez won the last two league titles with the club and the UEFA Cup as well, then Claudio Ranieri took charge and won the UEFA SuperCup in 2004. Since July 2012 the club changed seven managers as the team was unable to regain its former glory. Their last trophy was the Copa del Rey in 2008 under current Southampton boss Ronald Koeman. Valencia are 150/1 at SkyBet to win next season's Primera Liga title.