Javi Gracia: “I'm sure that the fans will feel very proud of their team and they will feel represented”

I'm very happy to be at this great club, in this beautiful city. I'm looking forward to getting to work. We're going through what is a difficult time for everybody, in which health is the most important thing, but as professionals of course we are thinking about football. We want our work to help people to feel better in some way. Personally, I'm very proud to be coaching a club like Valencia CF.

What are the keys to this Valencia CF side under Javi Gracia?

I think that we can talk a lot, but I prefer actions. I would like the team's style of play to speak for itself and show what we want to be. At this time we can talk about it, and say that I'd like this great squad that we have be a brave, aggressive and balanced side. In the end, we like talking about good football and attacking play, but the success of teams really comes through having balance. We will try to find that with the great squad and good players that we have.

You are going to have a lot of young talent to work with from the VCF Academy

I think that the talent that exists in the squad is vital. It isn't so important what age the player is. It's true that if there are young players who are good, they will have their place in the first team. I think there are players like that already; Young players in the squad who are showing that they have that level of talent to compete to the maximum for the team. It's all about blooding these young players, whilst also giving space for those who have the most experience -who are always necessary in squads. We will continue to strengthen and give opportunities to those young players, who are well prepared.

What is your message to the fans?

For me, as coach, the most important thing isn't the idea that the fans have of me right now, without knowing much about me. What is really important to me is the opinion of the fans when I leave -which is when they really know you. On this entire journey, we should work hard, enjoy and suffer together, and I'm sure that during this entire process they will feel very proud of their team, who will represent them.