Football
Adriana Garcia 9y

Valencia president Salvo resigns as five members of staff depart

Valencia FC have undergone some heavy changes off the field this week with the departure of five members of the club's hierarchy.

Amadeo Salvo has resigned as executive president of the Spanish outfit with club administrator Lay Hoon Chan, Valencia owner Peter Lim's advisor, assuming his duties.

Salvo, at the helm since June 2013, stated personal reasons for his decision to step down. Valencia sporting director Francisco Rufete and administration council member Manolo Peris have also left the club, and former player Roberto Ayala and Joan Salvans, both technical secretaries, have terminated their contracts.

While there have been reports in the Spanish press claiming the relationship between Salvo and Valencia coach Nuno had deteriorated and that the Portuguese tactician and his agent, Jorge Mendes -- a friend of Lim -- had more say on Valencia's transactions and club decisions, Salvo told local newspaper Las Provincias that was not true.

"I'm not someone that gives up," he said. "In football, you always have confrontations. I've argued a thousand times with Nuno and with everyone else but he is the Valencia coach. The one who is in charge is Peter Lim, he is the one that takes decisions."

Hoon Chan was also keen to clarify what Mendes' input is and added that Salvo was a valuable member of the club.

"He has been a friend of Peter for many years, now," she told the club website. "We do ask him for advice on occasion but we are the ones that take decisions and this is not going to change.

"We thank Amadeo for his contribution to the club and to us. It's sad for me to lose a comrade now that we are beginning a new season. We thank him and we wish him the best for him and his family."

Despite those departures, Hoon Chan is convinced Valencia will not be affected.

"In very little time, we will be able to return to gain strength," she said. "We will remain focused on our work and achieving our aims. We are united.

"My administration will be based on transparency and honesty always with the best interest for Valencia."

Valencia have brought in a new face, announcing on Sunday the arrival of former Manchester United and England defender Phil Neville as assistant coach to Nuno.

Lim has a 50 percent stake in Salford City, the Northern Premier League club owned by former Manchester United players Neville, brother Gary, Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes and Nicky Butt. Valencia finished fourth in La Liga in the 2014-15 campaign and will play in next season's Champions League.

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