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Gary Neville will not quit Valencia after 'painful' defeat to Barcelona

David Ramos / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Gary Neville was left shell-shocked after his Valencia team was embarrassed against a rampant Barcelona on Wednesday, the club falling to its heaviest defeat since 1993.

Luis Suarez's four strikes and Lionel Messi's hat trick went unanswered meaning a 7-0 loss for Los Che, all but confirming Neville's side's exit at the Copa del Rey's semifinal stage with the second leg still seven days away.

The former Manchester United right-back also hasn't recorded a win in La Liga since he was appointed at the start of December, leaving the club sitting in 12th.

Despite an incredibly tough start to his managerial career, when asked if he would step down from the Mestalla hot seat, he simply responded, "No" and requested another question when asked if he was worried for his future.

"I am not going to sleep well tonight. The fans do not deserve this. I did not like what I saw," he continued.

"It was one of the most painful experiences I've had in football. I've had some as a player and now I've had some as a manager. We have made so many silly errors that you can't make at any level, let alone against this team."

Neville's appointment at Valencia was widely considered as an odd choice, especially given that his coaching experience was just a part-time role under Roy Hodgson for England. His failings since taking the helm at Valencia will now come under closer scrutiny as the season begins to fall away.

"I stood out there both halves feeling helpless, trying to change it in some way, knowing the tide of the game was against us. We were playing against a fantastic team, keep that in perspective, but the scoreline is unacceptable.

"When you give ball away and leave yourself open to be counter-attacked, when you give the ball away like that - to three of the best forward players in the world - it's impossible.

"I feel most for the fans. It's their club, and tonight they suffer very badly."

Neville then tried to shift his attentions to Valencia's next outing at Real Betis on Sunday, a match that has suddenly grown in importance as both clubs look nervously over their shoulders at the La Liga drop zone.

"I need to make sure everything in the players' minds shifts to Sunday and Betis," he said. "I wish the match against Betis could start in 10 minutes. Be clear, we have to deliver on Sunday."

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