Javi Gracia: “I hope that this is the start of something good and long-lasting”

This Tuesday, Javi Gracia gave his first press conference since his appointment as Valencia CF coach the previous day, addressing various questions from journalists about his new role and plans for the club.

The objective for this season

“There is no greater ambition than to win every game, and that is what we are going to try to do. Saying that we are going to finish in a certain position doesn’t get you anywhere; I prefer to be ambitious on an everyday basis, and create the necessary conditions to have more of a chance of winning more games. That is the objective. I would say that we are ambitious in our objectives, but moderate in our expectations.”

Things that Valencia CF need to improve

“I haven’t just seen Valencia CF this year. I have followed LaLiga when I have been in Spain and abroad. Saying that they need to improve implies criticising previous stages at the club, and criticising what other high level coaches and players have done before doesn’t seem correct to me. I would like the team to be intense, aggressive in the opposition half -with and without the ball- and for us to dominate games even when we don’t have possession. I want balance in attack and defence that is shown in the numbers.”

Plans for constructing the squad

“Awaiting us is a preseason that has greater uncertainty for everybody than in previous years. The intention for every team will be to try to sign players, but it is not only going to depend on our intentions. It also depends on other clubs. I am prepared to work with the players I have, and the more stability and continuity, the better for obtaining results that require time and hard work.”

The differences compared to previous coaches

“Every coach is different and special. When I join a club I don’t look at how many coaches have been there before; I believe in my ability to do a good job. When I joined Watford they had been through more coaches than Valencia CF, and in my second season they renewed my contract. Situations change, and everybody needs to do their bit so that things are different -not for my job, but rather to achieve stability for the players and the club.”

No list of players who will leave

“I don’t have any list of players who are not going to stay. I understand that the club -like all clubs, given the situation, have some uncertainty as to what will happen in the transfer market. I understand that the club have made some decisions and I, logically, will give my opinion as to whether I believe they are good for the team. Through a consensus and exchange of opinions we will try to reach agreements that are good for the club. I am sure that, with whatever moves are made, we will have a very competitive squad, from which I will be responsible for getting the best performance.”

No conversation with Peter Lim yet

“I have not spoken to him yet, but I hope to do so in the future. I have had several conversations with the president and with Miguel Angel Corona, so there has been conversation indirectly.”

Giving all players a chance

“I will try to be as fair as possible with every one of my players. When I make decisions I will not look at age, nationality or any other aspect besides performance.”

Hugo Guillamón and Kang In

“I hope that they are important players, but that doesn’t just depend on my intentions. It also depends on their work. They both have quality, so it will be down to their work and the work of their competition. There is nothing pre-established and it will have to come from their day-to-day work. I consider both to be good players.”

Parejo’s possible involvement

“We shall see. It’s a matter that is in the club’s hands at the moment. The entire squad are set to return on August 10th, and we are going to see how things are developing. Talking any more about the matter right now doesn’t help us.”

The amount of goals conceded

“I’m also concerned about other phases of play, not just the defensive side. There is data that indicates that if you want to be in higher positions in the table, you have to improve. It’s something that we can improve collectively, not just in one position. Everything is improvable. The past is the past; we have to be present in every moment to be fair in the evaluations we make of others.”

The squad

“All of them are good players. They have achieved big things and help -or would help- in the future. The conditioning factor is financial: We have to be open to seeing how we can resolve these situations. We have to be open to the fact that big players could be talked about by other teams. I am going to transmit to the president and the majority shareholder what I think is important for the team, and from there the situation will push us to make decisions. I want to be clear, so that the team are competitive.”

A personal objective

“A coach always wants time to do their job. If you don’t have time, you aren’t able to show what you want to do with the team, and to have time you need to have a minimum standard of results. You have to balance results with playing well. I would like to see out my contract and extend it, so that I can grow and help the club to continue growing -to achieve high positions in the table and even trophies if we deserve them.”

Joining Valencia CF

“My meeting was a few weeks ago, and some time passed before the next meeting. I have spent the course of this season since leaving Watford in contact with several clubs. You have several options and you know that over time an opportunity can come about. I was very interested in coming to Valencia CF, and the club decided that I was the right man. Our paths combined, we are here today, and I hope that this is the start of something good and long-lasting.”

The perfect moment

“I believe that I am in an exceptional place. I am fortunate to be able to coach at this club. I have an established career behind me, and when I talk about my previous teams I am saying that I appreciate and love all of them. I am here today coaching Valencia CF thanks to all of those clubs and players who I have overseen, who have helped me to be who I am. For me, Valencia CF are my team now, and I am going to defend the club above anything else. I want the fans to feel that the project is theirs, and for them to join this project in which we will do everything possible for them to feel that way. I would like for the problem that we have, with COVID-19, to be over soon, to allow us to live and enjoy each game together again at Mestalla.”