Football
Adriana Garcia 7y

Marcelino unveiled at Valencia, says 'changes are needed'

Valencia unveiled Marcelino as their new coach on Tuesday and the veteran tactician vowed to help bring the good times back after two disappointing and tumultuous seasons for the club.

The 51-year-old, who has signed a two-year contract, said he is eager to get to work, knowing that changes are needed after 12th-place finishes the past two seasons but also made clear there will not be a "revolution."

"We will analyse the situation that we've had in the past two seasons," Marcelino said in Tuesday's news conference. "The results have not been what were expected.

"But we want to build a competitive team, one that can aim high. That is our goal. I don't like the word revolution.

"We will modify the team. We will analyse every position and find solutions. Our only task is to join efforts and take good decisions in order to win games.

"Changes are needed. We want Valencia fans to be proud."

Marcelino, the sixth coach to take over at Valencia in two years, succeeds Voro Gonzalez, the former Valencia player and club delegate who took over the team on an interim basis following Cesare Prandelli's resignation in December.

Asked if he was worried about the number of coaching changes, Marcelino said: "I'm not worried, that is not going to happen to me.

"I'm going to be here a minimum of two years. We need to be positive. We have to put the past behind us."

Marcelino has 18 years of coaching experience and has led several clubs, including Sporting Gijon, Racing Santander, Sevilla and Villarreal.

He arrived at Villarreal in January 2013 and steered the club to three top-six finishes in La Liga, including a fourth place and a semifinal in the Europa League in the 2015-16 campaign before being surprisingly sacked on Aug. 11.

"My coaching staff and I have ample experience in La Liga," he said. "We use a system of play that is very defined.

"The collective work is key and we must find balance.

"We like to have a dynamic attack. We have a similar style to the one Valencia has historically played and done so well with."

Marcelino said he could not turn down the opportunity to guide Valencia, six-time La Liga champions and two-time Champions League finalists.

"It's a big challenge for me but I was convinced by the project," he said. "We are enthusiastic and convinced that all will go well.

"I have learned that in order to accept to coach a team you need to be fully convinced, you need to transmit energy, passion and commitment.

"I'm a hardworking coach, I'm demanding. I like order, discipline and commitment. I'm driven by passion.

"The club is the most important thing. We need stability.

"I promise to always respect the club identity and its feelings.

"We are going to compete to be at the top as it corresponds with the club's history."

Valencia tried to sign Marcelino after dismissing coach Pako Ayesteran back in September, but league rules do not allow coaches to manage more than one club in the same season and Marcelino was deemed to have started the campaign at Villarreal, although he was sacked before their first game of the season in August.

Incoming president Anil Murthy was at Tuesday's news conference and said: "Today is a special day for Valencia. We turn the page and we begin a renewed future.

"Our project for the new season begins today. We are certain that it will be very different from this season [2016-17].

"At the club we are delighted with Marcelino's choice, we are convinced he is the right man to guide Valencia to the place they deserve."

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