Gary Neville 'must resign and apologise': Spanish press and pundits round on Valencia coach for Barcelona thrashing

Santiago Canizares leads calls for manager to quit after his side's 7-0 mauling in the Copa del Rey semi-final

Gary Neville watches Valencia against Barcelona (GETTY IMAGES)

Gary Neville declared it his worst night in football, the Valencia sporting director was forced to apologise to furious supporters and Santiago Canizares demanded the manager’s immediate resignation. The front page of Marca simply lamented: ‘Seven goals and a funeral’.

Reaction in Spain to Valencia’s 7-0 capitulation to Barcelona in the Copa del Rey semi-final has ranged from amusement (mainly among Barcelona fans) to anger and disbelief. ‘Neville out now’ quickly trended on Twitter. Three times in the manager’s post-match press conference he was asked if he was going to resign. “Next question”, was Neville’s blunt response.

Wednesday's media reaction has brought little respite. Neville’s appointment appears ‘ridiculous’, says one blogger on Marca, who cited the former Manchester United defender’s lack of managerial experience prior to his arrival at the Mestalla in December.

But it was Canizares who delivered the most damning verdict. The former Valencia goalkeeper played more than 400 times for the club and is still something of a legend among fans.

He said: “I expected the coach’s resignation, as well as some apologies. I may be ignorant, but I’m surprised he hasn’t. I thought he was honest.”

He added: “This day you can’t explain. We must apologise to fans for one of the worst results in our history.”

Another Valencia icon, David Albelda, agreed, and calling for Rafa Benitez to take over. “Neville hasn’t changed the system or the players and the results are worse than before. At Valencia we’d all be happy to have Benitez.”

Meanwhile, 88 per cent of fans asked in an online poll at Super Deporte, a newspaper covering Valencia, said Neville should resign.