Nuno Santo insists he has no regrets about how his Valencia reign unfolded as he prepares to return to management this summer.
Nuno guided Valencia to their highest La Liga points tally last season as Los Che qualified for the Champions League, but his second term was dogged by a publicised shift in playing style, which led to Alvaro Negredo’s exile from the first team, and mounting scrutiny of his relationship with Jorge Mendes.
The Coach ultimately resigned last November, with Los Che some way off the pace in the League and on the verge of an eventual Champions League elimination, but he does not believe to be damaged goods as a result of the manner in which he departed.
“Right now, everything is possible,” he told Publico.
“I’ve received several offers, but by choice I just want to work from the start of a season, with the possibility of beginning a project.
“I have the opportunity of building something in my own image. I can’t yet say which country.
“There are no guarantees, neither is it confirmed, but it’s on the right tracks.
“My reputation wasn’t damaged [by the Valencia sacking].
“I was the Coach of Valencia for 500 days, earned 77 points [in my first season], qualified the team for the Champions League and didn’t lose at home, while the club expanded their global image.
“Everything was positive. A Coach’s career is made of pressure and criticism.
“[On his name being linked to Jorge Mendes], it’s an honour that a person like him is fighting for my interests.
“I was fortunate to work with Portuguese players of a high caliber, as in the case of [Joao] Cancelo, [Ruben] Vezo and Andre Gomes.”
