At this stage of the season last year, Nuno Espírito Santo was starting to be considered a hero at Valencia. The team were playing some good football, and the fans were excited about the new project that had just started. After several years of irregularity, the Mediterranean side were once again a team to bear in mind in La Liga.
The “Che’s”, as they are known in Spain, ended up fourth in the league just one point behind Atlético de Madrid and managed to qualify for the Champions League.
Everyone was set for another exciting season, but soon things started to go downhill for the Portuguese coach. The fans that used to cheer his name in every home game started booing him and asking for his departure. Peter Lim, the owner of the club, did not take into account those chants and still had confidence in his manager. Despite this fact, a critical situation in both their Champions League and La Liga groups ended up with Nuno resigning as coach of the team before the defeat against Sevilla at Ramon Sánchez Pizjuán.
There was not much of a surprise regarding his decision as the news was received with a sense of relief amongst the majority of the fans. The supporters were not only angry with the poor results of the team but they also never understood why he kept Spanish international and former Manchester City forward Álvaro Negredo out of the squad week after week.
More and more, in his final game against Sevilla the manager decided to leave young Goalkeeper Jaume Domenech, probably the player in the best form of all the squad, out of the starting line-up. After resigning, Nuno spoke in a press conference and admitted his poor results but also stated that “I will always be grateful because it has been a great honour being the coach of Valencia”.
The club has reacted quickly, and the team already have a new manager. Gary Neville will take charge of Valencia from now on and his brother Phil, who was a member of Nuno’s staff, will help him in this challenging new adventure. The news of his signing has been a big surprise in Spain as Gary has no experience as head coach, and both media and fans suggest his singing has to do with the friendship between him and Peter Lim.
Layhoon Chan, chairman of the club, has made a statement on Valencia’s website welcoming the British coach.
“We are delighted to have secured Gary Neville so quickly. He combines top level coaching experience through his role as a senior coach with the England national team and a world-class playing career with England and Manchester United”.
The club’s statement also mentioned Neville’s first words as the new coach of the team.
“I am playing career with England and Manchester United”.
The club’s statement also mentioned Neville’s first words as the new coach of the team.
“I am absolutely thrilled to be given this opportunity with Valencia. Valencia is a huge football club of immense standing, and I know from my time as a player the passion and dedication of the fans”, he said.
Neville’s debut won’t be easy as Valencia will host La Liga leaders FC Barcelona at Mestalla, next Saturday. A positive result is essential for the “che’s” if they don’t want to see how the Champions League positions get further away.
