Quique Sanchez Flores, sacked as coach of Valencia on Monday, has expressed relief at losing his job.
The decision was taken after a meeting Sunday night following the team’s 3-0 loss to Sevilla in the Primera Liga.
Valencia has lost four of its last five games in all competitions and suffered a shocking defeat to Norwegian club Rosenborg in the Champions League last week.
“I am going convinced that we were prepared to achieve our objectives, but we will accept the decision with good will if it is the solution for Valencia,” Sanchez said. “I leave with my head held very high, like all good Valencianistas, wishing Valencia the best for the future.
“I have a slight feeling of pain, but also one of relief. They have been very difficult years, rather lonely ones. I lose a job, but I get my life back.”
“I have aimed for things for the last two years and I leave the club in a higher postion than when I arrived. I hope that the team win things as soon as possible. I am grateful for all the good moments, the difficult ones and the happy ones.”
“I am grateful to the fans for their expectations because it is what makes the club one of the biggest there is,” he added.
“I am also grateful to the board for giving me the chance and I hope that they can move on and carry out their plans. That they demand so much is what the supporters want.
“I hope that the players continue to show professionalism, honesty, intensity and can help each other and the new coach to bring the results that the fans want and the history of the club deserves.
“I am leaving with the belief that we were ready to continue to reach our goals, but I accept the decision if it is the best thing for Valencia.”
A statement issued by the club on Monday read: “The Valencia board met and after analyzing the technical report given by the sporting director (Miguel Angel Ruiz) on the situation of the first team, which was considered irreversible after the latest matches in the league and Champions League, have taken the decision to dismiss the coach Quique Sanchez Flores.”
Reserve coach Oscar Hernandez will serve as interim coach while Valencia looks for a permanent successor.
“It wasn’t an easy decision, but we’re convinced that this is the best way to realize our objectives of being a team that should always be among the best in Europe,” president Juan Soler said. “Now, we’re counting on finding a coach at the maximum level to fix this situation in as little time as possible.”
Sanchez took charge of Valencia in the summer of 2005 after replacing Claudio Ranieri, and led the team to a third-place finish in his first season and a top-four spot last year.
