Valencia sporting director Jesus Garcia Pitarch says Pako Ayestaran is the “prime candidate” for Los Che’s managerial vacancy after Sunday’s 2-1 win at Barcelona.
Ayestaran replaced Gary Neville at the end of March and has since guided Valencia to wins against Sevilla and Barca in two of his three matches – the latter of which came just two months after the side were drubbed 7-0 by La Blaugrana in the Copa del Rey.
“We told Pako on his first day that he had a chance of staying on,” Garcia Pitarch said after the game.
“He’s doing well, is our prime candidate and the strongest [candidate].
“[On beating Barca], this comforts us and gives us encouragement to continue relying on the players. The result made us proud of the team.
“The game reminded us of the 7-0 [defeat] in the Copa [del Rey], and we wanted to forget [that memory].
“Alves had an outstanding match and was very good. He saved two or three certain goals.”
