Spain Under-19s coach backs Celades to succeed

Spain Under-19s coach Santi Denia is one of the people best equipped to detail Albert Celades' coaching characteristics, having worked alongside him in the youth ranks of the national team setup. He spoke to VCF Media Radio on Thursday to talk about the new Valencia CF boss and more besides.

What is Albert Celades like ?
"He's a very approachable person and a born grafter. He spends hours upon hours on things. You have to love this sport and be passionate about football, and he is that. He's a good man, very transparent and I only have good words to say about him."

How did he make a good start in the dressing room?
"He knew the challenge that he had ahead of him; in a situation that wasn't ideal he had to change the dynamic. He knew that he would go through some hectic days, but what was going to win over the squad and the fans is his work. I'm sure that he's going to focus all his energy on getting the best performance from the squad. What he has to do is work to make sure everybody is pushing in the same direction, for the good of Valencia CF -not for the good of Celades. Valencia CF will get through this because they are a very strong club."

What ideas does he have about football?
"He's a clever man. I'm sure that Valencia CF have some very good routines in order to have got into the Champions League two years running. Celades has a very well defined idea about football and will want the team to play in his style. He likes good football, dynamism and playing the ball from the back, but also wants his teams to defend very well -because the highest level of competition doesn't allow you just to play pretty football. I'm sure that he will work with the coaching staff on everything, such as set pieces like what we saw against Chelsea."

How is he beginning to make his mark?
"It's about being intelligent, and that's something that Albert is. He's spent little time working with the squad, there's a good dynamic of a team that works in one way, and he has to work to strengthen them. This takes time and he will be working with his coaching staff to define things and get familiar with the squad -although it has to be very fast, because time is so valuable."

How will his knowledge of Gayà and Carlos Soler help?
"The VCF Academy is very important on a national level, but Celades will choose whoever he things is best to win each game. He won't care if the player is 18 or 30, and if he believes that a VCF Academy player can offer something in a game, then he'll play him. The youth players have to be brought in when they are ready, and the VCF Academy is working very well. Celades backs young players, because he's worked with the youth teams for Spain."

The squad appear to be behind him
"There is no other choice but to look forward for the squad, the majority shareholder and the club. Celades is the coach, there is a good squad there and if they want to achieve their aims, they have to look forward and never back."

What do you expect from his time at Valencia CF?
"He's well prepared, works hard and is passionate about football. The level of demand is obviously very high, because Valencia CF are a very powerful club, and I'm sure that with hard work and everybody's support, things will go well for him."