Javier Aguirre takes on the challenge at Valencia: “It’s a challenge that excites me” in the final stretch of his career
Por Carlos Rodríguez ·
Mexican Javier “Vasco” Aguirre, the new head coach of Spanish soccer club Valencia, acknowledged on Wednesday his enthusiasm and optimism about leading the “Che” team out of its slump during the final stretch of his coaching career.
“Valencia is a historic club. We’re going to try to do well; this opportunity has come at a good time for me. I’m very calm, relaxed, and focused on myself and my family, and I’m going to give it my all with this team, which I know well,” said the coach at Mexico City International Airport before departing for Spain.
Aguirre was close to retiring, but Valencia changed his plans
Aguirre, 67, who was announced earlier by Valencia as its new coach, acknowledged that after serving as Mexico’s head coach at the last World Cup, he considered retiring.
But the call from the “Ches” made him change his mind.
“I was torn between giving it all up at once or sticking with it. I had turned down four job offers from different countries, including Mexico, but in the end I chose this one because I’ve been in Spain for many years.”
“I have deep roots there—my children were there, and I spent 15 seasons there—so I thought it would be a fitting finale to my career,” he said.
El Vasco acknowledged that Valencia’s current situation—nineteenth in the standings with just four points after seven matchdays—is complicated.
But he was confident that, with his experience, the team would come out on top (Filed under: Javier Aguirre Takes on the Challenge at Valencia).
Experience, hard work, and direct communication
“Nothing is ever guaranteed, but the truth is that there’s still a long way to go in the league—31 games left, more than 90 points.”
“We have a very good roster; I know all of them, I know the team, and when you add my own enthusiasm to that, there are many reasons to be optimistic,” he emphasized.
Javier Aguirre, who has previously coached Real Zaragoza, Mallorca, Leganés, Espanyol, Atlético de Madrid, and Osasuna in Spain, explained what his coaching style will be.
“I’m always eager to help and work. They called me, and we sorted it out in five minutes.”
“It’s going to be a nice challenge. I’ll do it the way I like to—face-to-face, being upfront—because communication is key.”
“I’m not going to change; if I see a problem, I’ll speak up, and if I’m happy, I’ll say so,” he said.
The coach confirmed that his coaching staff will include Spaniard Pol Lorente, who left the Mexican national team last Saturday to join him on this adventure (Filed under: Javier Aguirre Takes on the Challenge at Valencia).
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He’s putting together his trusted team
“Pol Lorente is coming with me; he’s been with me for many years, and so has Tony Amor.”
“That’s how we work; I respect processes.”
“As for the rest, we’ll see what the team needs; we’ll look at the budget and the transfer market,” concluded the man who has served as Mexico’s head coach in three World Cups (Filed under: Javier Aguirre takes on the challenge at Valencia).
With information from EFE
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