Valencia hires sporting director to aid Neville

Madrid - Struggling La Liga side Valencia reappointed Jesus Garcia Pitarch as the club's sporting director on Wednesday to help turnaround the club's fortunes under English coach Gary Neville.

Neville is yet to win a La Liga match in five attempts since taking his first senior managerial role last month as Valencia have fallen to 11th in the table - 16 points off their pre-season target of a top-four finish.

Garcia Pitarch was sporting director during one of the most glorious periods in the club's history between 2002 and 2004 before being sacked after clashing with the board and then coach Rafael Benitez.

"We had already told our fans and shareholders that we were revising and constantly working on the sporting structure of the club," said the club's president Lay Hoon Chan.

"Jesus has had success at the highest level and knows Valencia Football Club well. We believe he is the ideal person for such an important position."

Neville, meanwhile, admitted ahead of the side's Copa del Rey last-16, second-leg away to Granada on Thursday that he must start delivering results in the league.

"I don't shy away from what Valencia's expectations should be. In La Liga in the last few weeks we've not achieved the results we wanted to and I accept that we have to start winning games quickly."

Neville's men are at least well-placed to reach the last eight of the Cup with a 4-0 lead from the first-leg.