Cesare Prandelli says he is determined to make Valencia one of the leading clubs in La Liga and Europe after being unveiled on Monday as their new coach.
Prandelli was appointed as Valencia's new boss last week, with the 59-year-old signing a contract until June 2018.
The former Italy coach believes he is ideally suited to the task and has drawn comparisons to his new team and city with the Fiorentina side he once led in Tuscany.
"I said yes to Valencia because having spoken to [sporting director Jesus Garcia Pitarch] Suso, there is a very interesting project that attracted me," Prandelli said in a news conference on Monday.
"There is a fascinating aspect between the mentality in Valencia and the interesting project. It's similar to the mentality I found in Florence [with Fiorentina]. The support of the fans is imperative for us."
Prandelli's five years at Fiorentina was the longest stint for a coach in the club's history.
He guided the team to a fourth-place finish in Serie A and was named coach of the year in the 2007-08 campaign, while he also steered them to a first ever qualification for the round of 16 in the Champions League.
Prandelli left Fiorentina to replace Marcello Lippi as Italy boss and guided the nation to the final of Euro 2012. He resigned after Italy's disappointing group-stage exit at the 2014 World Cup.
"My aim is to find a balance which is currently lacking," Prandelli said. "I want to transmit to the players the values of this club. For me it's an honour to be in such a glorious club and we want to take it back to [the top]."
Prandelli, who is Valencia's ninth coach since 2012, takes over a team that has struggled in front of goal this season, having mustered just nine goals in seven games. The Spanish outfit currently sit 18th in the La Liga standings, with just six points from seven games.
Prandelli is not, however, thinking about bringing in new players to improve the club's fortunes.
"My thoughts are not on the winter transfer market, but on understanding and evaluating the value of this team," he said. "We just have to attack with more players and create more goal-scoring chances. I'm convinced that if we're able to have a team mentality, this group can really improve."
Valencia started the season with Pako Ayestaran, who had taken over from Gary Neville in March and led the team to a 12th-place finish last season, but four straight defeats to start the current campaign led to his exit.
Valencia won two games under interim coach Voro but lost 2-0 at home to Atletico Madrid on Sunday, with Prandelli watching in the Mestalla stands.
"I'm optimistic because there is an interesting technical base," Prandelli said. "There is room for improvement."
Prandelli, who last coached Galatasaray before leaving in November 2014, also had kind words for club owner Peter Lim.
The Singapore-based Lim has come under fire for his transfer policy and coaching recruitments since buying the club in October 2014.
"I met with [Valencia owner] Peter Lim, he seems distant from the club but he is not," Prandelli said. "He is a businessman who has a long-term project for Valencia and that includes winning."
Prandelli's first game in charge is away to Sporting Gijon on Oct. 16, with Valencia then hosting Barcelona a week later.