Nuno Santo has said goodbye to Valencia and admitted he could have quit the club at the time he was presented and greeted with whistles.
The Portuguese resigned on Sunday following Los Che’s 1-0 defeat to Sevilla and gave his farewell Press conference on Monday evening, looking back on his time at Mestalla and giving his side of what was an often controversial 18 months on the bench.
“Thanks to the fans for the applause. Thanks also to [owner] Peter Lim, who gave me the opportunity to lead Valencia for almost 500 days,” Nuno said, Marca reports.
“I don’t know if there was a campaign against me. It was surprising to me to be whistled at the presentation at Mestalla. At that moment, I was surprised.
“If I look back it would have been a logical point not to continue, but my character made me. I don’t know if it was something organised.
“I’ve spoken a lot with the President [Lay Hoon Chan] and with Lim. We arrived at the conclusion that the situation wasn’t right. I tried the maximum on the sporting level. There was absolute consensus in the decision [to leave].
“I’ve never wanted to be Valencia Coach more. I appreciated working with Rufete and Amadeo Salvo last season. For the downturn we’ve had, I am solely responsible, for not maintaining what we had last year.
“Mestalla is demanding. There were moments the fans weren’t supporting the team and were going against the Coach. Now I ask that you support your players because they’re good and that will be demonstrated.
“When you feel you can’t reverse the situation and you win 3-0 and they sing your name, there’s something beyond it. I think every game at Mestalla should be a party, not a reply to the Coach.
“In 500 days I’m sure I made mistakes. But I was never disrespectful at a Press conference. I never had a personal problem with a player. I consider myself a Coach who talks and goes with the players as a friend.
“Coaching requires a lot of analysis and we all know Alvaro Negredo struggled last season. His performances were not what we hoped. He started this season well, but had a downturn. It’s nothing personal, only the analysis and data.
“I think and believe criticism should be internal and you gain on reflection. I’m the most self-critical with myself. I’ll be a Valencia fan forever. That’s logical. Since my presentation it’s logical that I’ve felt the pressure.
“Jorge Mendes? A short time ago I heard it was a privilege to work with the best agent in the world. I don’t understand why that has changed now.
“This won’t be Voro’s first experience. He’s already close to the players and knows them. He helped me a lot. We were colleagues and good friends. I hope he has good luck and the reaction is immediate.
“The new Coach is a decision for the club. I’m not going to comment on who should be the Coach. Just know Valencia is in very good hands. The fans should be grateful to Lay Hoon and Lim. I wish the new Coach and the players the very best.”
