Football
Adriana Garcia 8y

Valencia coach Pako Ayestaran takes blame for slow La Liga start

Valencia coach Pako Ayestaran is not losing faith in his players despite the club's worst start since the 1999-2000 campaign.

Los Che lie second-bottom in the La Liga table after three straight defeats.

After Real Betis won 3-2 at Valencia on Sunday, Ayestaran told Cadena Ser: "Of course I am partly to blame because I am part of this group. But I see the team well and what is missing are the results.

"The feeling that we have is that we are better than what the results suggest. We have had good performances in our three games and deserved much more."

Valencia fell 4-2 at home to Las Palmas in their league opener before a 1-0 defeat at Eibar.

"We haven't won yet but we have dominated [possession] in all of our games," Ayestaran said. "We are frustrated not to be rewarded for our efforts.

"Against Betis, we deserved at least a draw."

Playing with 10 men after captain Enzo Perez was sent off, Valencia hit back from 2-0 down to level the score before a late winner from Ruben Castro gave Betis the victory.

"It's very painful to lose that way," Ayestaran said.

Valencia sporting director Jesus Garcia Pitarch was seen in the dressing room after Sunday's game, sparking rumours that a coaching change is imminent.

"He comes after every game. I speak to club executives after every game and nothing in particular was said," Ayestaran said.

The coach, who worked with Rafa Benitez during his time at Liverpool, was as an assistant to Gary Neville last season and replaced the Englishman in March.

His previous coaching experience was with Mexican clubs Estudiantes Tecos and Santos Laguna, as well as Israeli side Maccabi Tel Aviv.

Ayestaran won three, drew one and lost four of his eight matches in charge as Valencia finished 12th in La Liga.

He signed a two-year contract at the end of last season. 

"It doesn't affect me when I hear that Valencia is too big of a club for me," Ayestaran said. "I understand that the attention might be on me but I have to focus on training.

"I don't fear losing my job. It's not under my control so I don't think about it."

The 53-year-old does not believe the sale of their best players this summer has hindered his team.

German defender Shkodran Mustafi was sold to Arsenal and Portuguese midfielder Andre Gomes and Spanish forward Paco Alcacer joined Barcelona.

"Valencia had a good team last season and still have a good team," Ayestaran said.

"Those players wanted to leave, the club received good offers for the players and they were sold because we had players in those positions that could replace them.

"We have a competitive side. I'm happy with the players that I have. I have complete confidence in my players and this is the time to believe in them.

"I'm enthusiastic because I think we have a good roster. I'm convinced we will come out of this situation."

Valencia play away to Athletic Bilbao on Sept. 18.

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