Valencia chairwoman Layhoon Chan is "fed up" of answering questions about Jorge Mendes' influence at the club, and says that the next Los Che coach will likely not be connected to the Portuguese agent.
The Mestalla club are currently reeling after coach Nuno left following a poor start to the season, culminating in a wretched performance in Sunday's 1-0 La Liga defeat at Sevilla.
Former Valencia player Salvador Gonzalez (known as Voro), who was working as a club delegate, has taken temporary charge ahead of Wednesday's Copa del Rey last-32 first leg at Barakaldo, with former Manchester United and Everton player Phil Neville continuing as an assistant coach.
Spanish media reports suggest that Mendes' close relationship with Valencia owner Peter Lim would mean they would work together in choosing the new permanent boss, as they have when signing a large number of players represented by the agent over the last 18 months.
However, Lim's close associate Chan told a news conference that the influence of Mendes on Valencia's business was overstated by the media, and all decisions were made on individual merit.
"The truth is I am fed up speaking about Jorge Mendes at every press conference," Chan said. "If Mendes controlled the club, Nuno would not have left today. This is all based on results and performances.
"And the same goes for the players we have signed. We have them as we believe in their potential. I really do not believe that [the new coach] will be someone related to Mendes. I want to underline that the coach we bring in will be for his credentials and the qualities he can bring to the club."
A shake-up in Valencia's internal structure last summer saw former president Amadeo Salvo and sporting director Rufete both leave. This means none of the main decision makers at the club have much experience of top level football in Spain or elsewhere -- another reason why outsiders have assumed Mendes was working closely with the club.
Chan nonetheless said that the appointment of a sporting director was not on the agenda at present, and would not confirm whether a new coach would be appointed before in-form La Liga leaders Barcelona visit the Mestalla on Saturday evening.
"We always look at our sporting structure, and will keep doing that," she said. "But the priority at the moment is the first-team coach. Mr. Lim will be directly involved in this decision because it is a very important position. We hope to be back here in a few days or weeks to make the announcement."
Valencia finished fourth last season with a feeling the club was on an upward curve under Lim's control. But fans and pundits have been left disillusioned after four months of the current campaign, with the team sitting ninth in the Liga table and close to an early Champions League exit.
Chan said nobody should forget how financially troubled Valencia had been before Lim took control, adding: "In sport the result is most important. We have always said that, in institutional terms, this is a long-term commitment.
"I understand that if the team is not playing well, everything else is forgotten. But I want to remind you that 12 months ago the club was bankrupt, there was no money to pay the bills. We all love this club; the shareholders, the team, the fans. If we are not united we cannot speak of a future for the club."