Bordalás: “We have the possibility of moving up the table with a win against Celta Vigo”

Valencia CF coach José Bordalás gave a press conference before the LaLiga Matchday 38 game against Celta Vigo. 

We've been hearing audios of the president all week. In one he referred to you. He said that you had a very difficult character and even discussed your approach in the cup final. What is your opinion? 

I'm not going to comment on it. I am the coach of the team. I’m dressed in training clothes and I am only talking about the sporting side, the day to day. Obviously, everything that has come out is not lost on us. But I'm not going to comment on it because I think it's not my place or my job. 

Tomorrow there might be a very powerful image of fans outside Mestalla protesting and you inside playing. What do you think about this?

Excuse me, but I'm focused on the team having a good game and the showing being good. I have insisted on that until the last session, so that tomorrow the team finish the season in the best possible way. We have the chance to improve our place in the table by beating Celta tomorrow and that's the only thing I'm thinking about. 

Yesterday he spoke with the squad and with the captains. Can you tell us what you talked about? 

I told the players to try, as captains, to make sure that the team do not switch off, give a good showing and achieve a victory. We know that practically nothing is at stake for the team, but we can improve in the standings. We also talked about how they were, especially in the case of Paulista, who is now ready to return to the team. 

You are about to finish the season. Have you already set a date with the sporting director and the president to start preparing for the next season? 

No. This week we have had practically no contact because of everything that has happened. I imagine that, starting next week, we will talk and meet to see what the next season is going to be like. Obviously, the future is the only thing that worries me. The team have spent three seasons on the edge. We haven't been looking at going down, but we haven't been looking at Europe either. Valencia CF is my concern.

I understand that the club have to sell for economic reasons, but Valencia CF have to improve and strengthen in order to look to finish in the top positions. That is my only concern and what I will focus on in the meetings that will take place from now on. 

In one of those audios, they talked about Marcos André. Is it true that you refused other players and that you only wanted Marcos André? 

I am not going to talk about the audios, nor am I going to enter into any debate. It is not my task. My only concern is that the team give their maximum performance and that Valencia CF manage to be where the club deserve to be. The fans, who are incredible, and the club deserves not to be where we have been in recent seasons. If you don't strengthen and you weaken yourself, your chances are reduced. 

Will you continue the next season if the reinforcements you speak of do not arrive? 

Right now I am coach of Valencia CF and I have no other thought than to continue. My obligation as a coach and head of the team is to analyse things. We've had a pretty good season. We have been able to reach the final of the Copa del Rey, but in the league we have not been able to overcome that barrier. We have not been in trouble, but we must improve. My obligation as a coach is to demand that. I am not the one who makes the decisions. That is the reality that we have all been able to verify in the last three seasons. My mission is to direct, coach and demand what I think is needed for Valencia to once again excite and be able to fight for good positions. 

With what degree of enthusiasm and optimism do you go into the meeting? You recently said that Ángel Torres was the best president you had ever had and that Anil Murthy was a good president. Could you update if you still think the same? 

I am not a person who changes thoughts unless shown otherwise. I still think the same way, obviously. I am not a person who has two faces. I am not a person who does not tell the truth or who lies. The excitement is the same because I love my profession, football. I am Valencian and I want the best for Valencia CF. Always, what I demand, is done thinking of the best for Valencia CF. I demand the best for Valencia CF, not just to complain, but because it is what I consider best. It is my obligation as a coach. Then we will see if the club have the possibility to improve the squad.

There may be opinions of all kinds. I can guarantee you that the team have given everything. We could have done better, obviously, but we have to be critical in order to improve things. As a coach, I try to improve every season. What is clear is that the Spanish league does not forgive mistakes. The teams want to be better every year. And, if not, if you want miracles then go to Lourdes.

You have not yet met with the club and you have a contract for next season, but the club have met this week with FC Barcelona. You say you weren’t told about Hugo Duro. Is it possible to work like this for the coming season? 

The club transmit to me what they consider necessary. The last meeting we had, they told me that the club needed to sell for a value of 65-70 million. But, if there are players who leave, then there must be arrivals. Otherwise we would be weakening the team and that is not good. 

Other clubs are preparing for next season with their coaches. Are you surprised that this meeting hasn't happened yet? 

We are in the final stretch and, perhaps, events have deprived us of being able to have that meeting. It should not be given any more importance. Sometimes, there are other matters. The season is over, but we continue working to make Valencia CF better than we have been this season. 

Do you contemplate a future without two players like Soler and Gayà in the squad? 

They are two very important players. They are very good players, heritage at Valencia CF. But, I decide as far as I can. I can give my opinion, but I can't control the decisions of the club or the goals of the players. Losing them would weaken us. But, if they leave and players arrive who reach the required level, then as a coach I would understand. 

Speaking of Soler and Gayà, today is the last training session of the season and it could be their last training session as Valencianistas. Have you talked to them about this? Have you noticed anything special about them? 

Their commitment to Valencia CF is enormous. I haven't needed to talk to them. I don't see them being worried. Still, inside, they may have some kind of restlessness. They are professionals. They are fine. They seem content and happy. They carry Valencia CF inside them. 

You talk about sales of 60-65 million. Can a team be made to compete for Europe without those players? 

It can be done. Another thing is if the club can do it economically and they have the intention of wanting to do it. I don’t control that. We have seen that there are teams with less history than Valencia CF and they are competing in Europe. 

How do you assess the immediate future for the club? 

I can't comment. I only have to worry about the sporting side, about the squad, about trying to perform at the highest level and that Valencia CF don’t have any difficulties. I cannot comment on any initiative that has nothing to do with sport. 

Are you willing to continue if the team is not reinforced? 

The club have the will to do it. Another thing is if we can do it. I can't control that, but I don't think about that scenario. I have to be positive. From my position as coach, I convey what I think is needed to improve. Football people from all over the world know that Valencia CF are a club that have to be fighting for much more ambitious goals. I haven't said anything that everyone else doesn't see. 

Does whether you stay here next year depend on the amount that must be paid to break your contract? 

We do not go into details. We are not thinking about that possibility. My thought is to continue and work with the maximum interest for Valencia CF. Everyone knows how excited I was when I arrived, and how excited I am that the team can be among the best. But we are all aware that we have to improve our squad.