Valencia's sporting director Jesus Garcia Pitarch 'Suso', has admitted Marcelino was an option for the club but he was not first choice.
Speaking at the presentation of Cesare Prandelli as the new Valencia boss, Suso confirmed that whilst the former Villarreal manager was on their shortlist of candidates, the former Italian national team boss was always their number one target.
"Marcelino was a target for us, but he was not first choice – we always wanted Prandelli above everyone else," said Suso.
"Valencia are seeking stability and the immediate task is to improve the results, which have not been good enough. We are a club who should be in European competition and the objective is to return to these elite European competitions as soon as possible.
"The club believed at this time that we needed to appoint an experienced coach who could stabilise the team and improve us.
"Valencia are in a good position in terms of UEFA's Financial Fair Play and are on a solid footing to go forward."
