MADRID, 15 Jun. (EUROPA PRESS) –
The Valencia Club de Fútbol coach, Rubén Baraja, was “happy and enthusiastic” to renew this Thursday until 2025 in the ‘che’ team, and made clear “the demand” that the players of his team have, since playing with the Valencian shirt demands “to be ambitious and think about growing”.
“Historically, Valencia CF has been a good team when it has been a block, when everyone knew what their role was and in which any player knew what it means and the demand you have to play. From there “It’s time to work hard and get it right to strengthen the team. Then, maximum ambition. This club requires you to be ambitious and think about growing,” the coach told the club’s official media after announcing his renewal for two seasons.
The man from Valladolid highlighted how “happy and “excited” he is to be able to continue coaching Valencia CF. “I had the great illusion of being able to start a project from scratch. I am radiant with joy, optimism and, above all, hope for the future,” he commented.
Despite the very “demanding” end of the season that they have experienced to save the category, the ex-soccer player faces his new challenge with enthusiasm. “To build something beautiful for Valencia CF, that is my ambition, my objective and that is why I made the decision to continue at the Club”, he remarked.
The former midfielder is looking for changes in the team that allow him to “improve” the team and “go up”, but knowing where they are right now. “You have to set an objective based on our reality, which you have to assume, but with the ambition, desire and illusion to, through work, build a good team and grow”, he defended.
For this, the directive must be clear about “where the team starts from” and what the objectives are and how to “go for them”. “You have to grow, work and be very fine when it comes to making the squad, which is the most important thing in a preseason. From there, Valencia CF must have the best squad possible when LaLiga starts”, he assessed.
‘El Pipo’ believes that everyone has to “make an effort” to understand the situation the club is in right now. “The fans, without a doubt, have shown that they are essential for us, our best asset. We must return that love with effort, competitiveness in each game and with a team that has its own stamp,” he said.
For Baraja, it is “vital” that the players who come to the team and those who are already there have “hunger, ambition and energy”, so that they can fight for a common goal. “We have to be able to find the performances and certainties that give you the chance to make a competitive team,” he explained.
The difficult situation of the club when he arrived and the moments lived are seen as a “learning” and a “starting point” for the coming years. “These months have been very helpful to me to get to know the club, to know how it works and, from there, to try to impose the idiosyncrasy of Valencia CF”, he confessed.
His personal challenge is to make Valencia “grow” and have an “ambitious, but real” objective, being clear about the “possibilities” they have at this time. “We have to be ambitious in that we can make the team grow and improve compared to what we did last season,” Baraja stressed.
In addition, the ‘che’ coach defended the need to “take care” of the fans, since they are the ones who “push, support and give that encouragement” and that they “try to compete well in each game”. “I think it has been shown that these fans are enormous because of how they have supported the team not only at home, but also abroad. They have been fundamental in the improvement process and to get points”, stressed the man from Valladolid.
The former Valencian player wanted to thank the “affection” and “respect” he has received since joining the club in such a “complicated” situation. “Both I and all the people who are going to work for the Club are going to put all our energy, enthusiasm and illusion so that next season we can do things well”, he concluded.