Former Villarreal boss Javier Calleja ‘understands’ why the club have dismissed him but has revealed the decision has ‘killed’ him.
Calleja was in his post for 15 months and despite guiding the Yellow Submarine to fifth last season, leaves them just one place above the drop zone in La Liga.
“When results go badly, the Coach is the weakest part and is the most vulnerable,” Calleja is cited as saying by Cadena Cope.
“I hope the team does well under a new Coach, I tried different styles and approaches but when I was implementing them I believed I was betraying myself and my beliefs.
“We started the season badly, the players began to doubt themselves and what we were trying and when you get stuck in that rut, you must stay cool-minded but it is difficult.
“I only want to tell the club that I love them all and will always carry Villarreal in my heart, we are all hurt by how this has ended but I understand the decision.
“Leaving my post does not free me but it kills me, I’m from Villarreal and wanted to be there until the end.”
