Former Valencia striker Nikola Zigic has warned the club's new manager Gary Neville that he must ensure that the club qualify for the Champions League if he is to keep the fans on his side.

Neville was appointed as the La Liga club's manager, earlier this week on a contract to the end of the season and he will work alongside his brother Phil at the Mestalla.

Reaction to the appointment has been mixed, but Zigic, who played for Los Che between 2007 and 2010 before moving to Birmingham City, has suggested that the fans may be likely to turn on the former Manchester United man if he does not meet their high expectations.

"I do not know if Gary understands the size of the club he is now working for, but it is one of the big ones," the Serbian striker told The Mirror. "In Spain there is Real Madrid and Barcelona, but then you have Atletico Madrid and Valencia. That is the way that they see it in Valencia, so there is pressure for him.

"They are still in the Champions League – and it will help if they win in that competition next week against Lyon. If not, then he has to make sure he qualifies for the competition next season. That will be important, both for the finances and for him to buy some time with the fans.

"If [the fans] do not like what they are seeing then [they could turn on Neville] after four or five [matches]. That only brings additional pressure and it is ­important how he handles it."

Neville watched from the stands as his new team struck a late equaliser to draw 1-1 with La Liga leaders Barcelona on Saturday evening.