Zigor Aranalde: "The players seem receptive and work very well"

Zigor Aranalde is Javi Gracia's assistant at Valencia CF, and also an analyst who has plenty of experience with the new coach. Born in Ibarra in the Guipúzcoa region of Spain, Aranalde was previously a player for SD Eibar, Atlético Marbella, Sevilla FC, Albacete Balompié and CD Logroñés in his homeland, going on to play in England for Walsall FC, Sheffield Wednesday and Carlisle. He returned to Spain with Albacete in 2009, then made his final appearances for UD Almansa and La Gineta CF.

His career on the coaching staff has taken him to various clubs, before he joined up with Gracia at Watford. Following him to Mestalla, Aranalde is excited about the challenge ahead.

"Javi has given me the opportunity to be where I am today, and I'm eternally grateful. We all have our own job to do and we bring our work together, depending on how things are going, to show things to the players. However, being left to do your job on an everyday basis is wonderful, and it's great working with him," he says of working with the new VCF boss.

"Valencia CF are one of the best clubs in Spain, and a great club on a European level. It's tremendously exciting and we want things to work out well. We are looking forward to contributing in any way we can, helping the club and the players to get everything working well.

"Being up to the standard of the club will mean things are being done well. There is a lot of work and a lot of excitement. I'm very happy to be at a club like Valencia CF."

Asked what it is like working with the squad so far, Aranalde's reflection is positive.

"We like to be close to the players and treat people with respect. We like to explain things, working our hardest but also being as approachable as we can. Us having been in their position before is an advantage for us when it comes to knowing how to do that.

"The players seem receptive and work very well. If they do their best and work with motivation and desire, then we can help them as best we can. The sessions are very fluid and everything is going well. We'll be accumulating this necessary work for when the league starts again in September, to be ready to compete," he explained to VCF Media.

"They have to give their all, every day. You always have to do that, always. If we are able to do that on a daily basis, I'm sure that the team will be highly competitive. In the end, that's what it's all about: Having the character and competitiveness to face the challenges you will have, week after week and day after day."

"The idea is for the team to be intense. When we have the ball, we want to be fast and attacking. We want to be able to manage when we should have the ball, and when we need to change. We want to be a brave and aggressive team."