Marcelino Plays Down Sack Threat

Valencia coach Marcelino Garcia Toral claims he is not fearful of being sacked following his side’s 11th draw of the La Liga season.

The 53-year-old has been in charge at the Mestalla since May 2017, but the pressure is starting to mount this term as Los Che are mid-table, five points off the top six but only four above the relegation places.

Saturday’s 1-1 draw against Real Valladolid ensured Valencia set a Spanish top-flight record in terms of the number of draws after 19 matches, while they also crashed out of the Copa del Rey against second-tier Sporting Gijon last week.

It’s being suggested that Marcelino is on borrowed time, but the much-travelled former Villarreal and Sevilla chief is not worried. “I’m never afraid of being dismissed,” he told reporters.

“If the club believes that changing the Coach and the dynamics will win more games, then so be it, if they believe that I am the only one at fault.

“This is football and you cannot fear anything, but I am convinced this squad is with its Coach and my coaching staff. “We are being hit with bad luck every day, we are being slapped in the face by it.

“We need to show we are winners, to transform our competitiveness into victories to give us momentum, that is what this situation takes.

“We are all annoyed but equally I am proud of the players and how they are facing this situation, they are not giving up.”