Report: Valencia not planning to sack Neville despite winless streak

Valencia has no intention of firing manager Gary Neville despite going a ninth La Liga match without a win, reports the Guardian's Sid Lowe.

Neville said he was "comfortable" in his post following three consecutive losses in a week. A 7-0 trouncing by Barcelona in the Copa del Rey on Tuesday prompted him to describe Sunday's match against Real Betis as a must-win, but Los Che couldn't deliver a result in a 1-0 defeat in Seville.

"What I am uncomfortable about is not getting them the results they deserve," he told reporters. "There's no doubt that at times like this, everyone needs to stay together. Everyone suffers. Conversations with the owners are between me and the owners."

Valencia president Layhoon Chan didn't attend the latest contest, which was decided by Ruben Castro's strike in the 49th minute. Betis itself hadn't won a league match since Nov. 27 against Levante, slumping to 12th place in the process.

Neville didn't appear too bothered. He reportedly entered the post-match news conference laughing, and refused to resign after a journalist pressed him about his future.

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

"I said before I came that I would be judged in five months," Neville said. "The obituaries have already been written: I have been judged in six weeks. But I believe in myself, I always have. I believe in the work I am doing: there is structure, belief, organisation, far better fitness. What I don't believe is that the results reflect the improvements we have seen."

Valencia has a 4-6-6 record under Neville in all competitions, with the most success coming in cup competition. Neither president Chan nor owner Peter Lim has made a public statement about the Englishman, and he sees no reason for it.

"You don't make statements when you're winning, you don't make them when you're drawing," Neville said. "Words are weak."