Nuno: Valencia desire “incredible”

Nuno Espirito Santo says that there is an “incredible” desire at Valencia to be able to challenge the likes of Barcelona and Real Madrid.

Los Che appointed the Portuguese as boss at the start this season and he has since led them to third place in the table, with the likelihood they will playing Champions League football next season.

However, Nuno says that what he found on arrival at Mestalla was something completely different to what the club is experiencing right now.

“When I arrived what I found was two years of sadness, of no success, although it’s true that we were in a process of change with the sale of the club and the arrival of a new owner,” maintained Nuno in an interview with AS.

“But primarily I’d describe Valencia as having an incredible desire and an ambition to grow. I hope I can contribute to that.

“The history is there, the tools to win are there, and these things have led to us moving in the right direction. That’s what I’ve tried to channel and achieve.

“You always have to win every game because that’s how people in Valencia see it. They know we are a great club that should be in the Champions League. That’s the pressure but at the same time it’s also an obligation for the coaching staff to prepare the team to win.

“All projects are based on the same thing, which is that if the team wins then it moves forward and the team will be developed further. The base is the players and the team. My duty is to combine it.

“In Spain there is a big difference between the two big clubs and the rest. They are two champions. The players are aware of it and therefore we need time for them to believe we are going to get there.

“First we need to be in the Champions League and I think if the club’s culture keeps growing in this way then next year it will be easier.”

Nuno was asked the reason why Valencia chose him to be in command of this project.

“No special reason. I knew that Peter Lim was going to become the club’s new owner. I met him a couple of years ago before coming here, although I met [President] Amadeo Salvo, who was the one who decided I was the right person.

“I explained to them my ideas about football and the way I worked. I hoped they would like it,” he replied.

Tags Nuno Espirito Santo Peter Lim
La Liga - Club News