Shortly after his appointment as coach of VCF Mestalla, Óscar Fernández spoke to VCF Media about coming home to the club and to the Ciudad Deportiva after ten years away.

“Valencia CF are a big club who continue to evolve and grow. Above all, they are excited about the work done at the VCF Academy. They want homegrown youngsters to reach the elite level,” he said.

“I hope that we can see a lot of players who came up in the VCF Academy making it. That’s what we are here for: To help them to grow.”

“What we all hope to do is be able to help the players to grow and to keep developing. In the end, the objectives will show the way. It's a developmental process, and a process to reach the elite level. Results aren't going to be something that is as important as the developmental process. We have to help the players to grow and develop their values, both sporting and social. Above all, we want to help them to reach the elite level,” continued Fernández, who starts his second spell at the helm of VCF Mestalla.

“I always say that training is a context in which there are opportunities, just like competitions. The players need to be able to take these opportunities, and we need to be able to help them to grow through these opportunities.”

Fernández also wants his players to be able understudies to the first team when required.

“We want them to be a group of players who grow during the year, and go on the journey of developing to reach the first team, so that Javi Gracia can draw on them at any time. That would be a source of pride for the entire VCF Academy.”

“Seeing how the club works, and how the club are committed to players from the VCF Academy -who are knocking on the door of the first team- motivates me. It motivates you to help them and push the players to get to the elite level. You feel valued by doing this. I'm happy when I help players, and we coaches are fortunate to help these players to knock on the door of the first team and try to get there.”