Report: Valencia inquiring about status of Rafa Benitez

Following a humiliating 7-0 defeat at the hands of mighty Barcelona, it appears Valencia is already considering new options down by the touchline.

Current boss Gary Neville - winless in all eight of his La Liga fixtures, and all but assuredly eliminated from the Copa del Rey - has drawn the fury of the Valencia faithful, but has affirmed he will not resign from his post at the helm of Los Che.

According to reports from AS, however, Valencia club sporting director Jesus Garcia Pitarch has inquired about former manager Rafa Benitez through Benitez's agent, Manuel Garcia Quilon.

Benitez is as revered as they come at the Mestalla Stadium, having guided Los Che to the La Liga crown in the 2001-02 and 2003-04 seasons. Those accolades, coupled with a UEFA Cup win in 2003-04, make Benitez a fan favourite.

AS further reports that while interest in hiring Benitez could be intensified with continued disappointments, no decision on Neville has been made, and inquiries about Benitez were already underway prior to the 7-0 drubbing in the first leg of the Copa del Rey semifinal Wednesday.