"I am proud to manage these players"

He arrived at Valencia as an unknown manager and in just a few months he has converted the Blanquinegros into one of the hottest teams in the Liga BBVA. Nuno Espírito Santo (São Tomé, São Tomé and Príncipe, 1974) gave LFP.es an exclusive interview in which he discussed his first few months with the team, his goals and his next game with Athletic Club, this week's LFP.es 'in-depth' match.

LFP.es: How would you sum up your first few months at Valencia CF?
Nuno: It has been very positive; we started with optimism and things are going well. It is a pleasure to manage these players, footballers who like to work hard.

LFP.es: After 10 matches, Valencia are in second place with 23 points and they have equalled their best ever start. Did you expect such a positive start?
Nuno: Our coaching staff are very optimistic and after meeting the squad our optimism grew. Now we are very satisfied to have equalled that record, but we are aware that there is a lot of work ahead of us and that what we want is to achieve our goals when the league is over.

"We can help Valencia grow with our hard work"

LFP.es: Is the objective still UEFA Champions League qualification?
Nuno: Our path is very clear: the objective is to be in the Champions League next year, which is a tough goal because it is a very difficult and competitive league.

LFP.es: This Valencia side is being compared with Atlético de Madrid. Do you like to be compared with Diego Pablo Simeone's team?
Nuno: What Atlético did last season was quite an achievement, but we have different styles. We have our own identity, our idea of how to play, and what we are trying to do is take that to the pitch. The players understand what we are looking for; to be effective is the best we can hope for, as that means goals, and goals mean winning, which is the most important of all.

LFP.es: There is already talk of renewing your contract and in the Mestalla the fans
chant your name. What does so much affection mean to you?
Nuno: It makes me proud. I feel very happy here. It has always been a pleasure and an honour for me, to have the chance to train Valencia. Within the coaching staff we believe that we can help the club grow with our hard work. I am proud that they are talking about renewing.

LFP.es: What is on your calling card as a manager?
Nuno: The same things that identify me as a person: friendship, truth, confidence, union and respect. 

"A team exist because of the fans and we want them to feel proud of us"

LFP.es: Who do you look up to as a manager?
Nuno: I've been lucky to work with a lot of managers and it would be unfair of me to name just one, I've learned from all of them.

LFP.es: Of all the moments you have enjoyed with the Valencia fans, which one stands out the most?
Nuno: All the ones I have been lucky enough to share. Our fans are an example of encouragement and support; we are very grateful to them. I'm sure we will have more happy times together because a club and a team exist because of the fans and we want them to feel proud of us.

LFP.es: What was the key to making all the parts of the team come together so well from the start?
Nuno: The hard work of the players and their readiness to work hard. They believe in the ideas we have and in making an effort. That is the only way to do it. 

"The Liga BBVA, has great teams, great managers and the best players in the world"

LFP.es: Which player has surprised you most?
Nuno: Gayà, because of his youth. What he is doing every day has to set an example for the young people we have coming up. He is an example because he wants to learn and grow and he always goes out on the pitch with a great competitive spirit. But it is very unfair just to pick one out; I'm very happy to have this squad and very proud to be able to manage them every day.

LFP.es: Did you expect such a competitive Liga BBVA?
Nuno: I was familiar with the Liga BBVA: it has great teams, great managers and the best players in the world are here. Getting a win is very difficult and that says a lot about us; I knew that was the case and we will have very tough matches.

LFP.es: Your next game is against Athletic Club, who are starting to pick themselves up in La Liga and have an ex-Valencia manager, Ernesto Valverde, at the helm.
Nuno: It is a difficult match, against a team that had a great season last year. This year they haven't started so well, but the team are looking to grow, although it is fair to say that we also have our ambitions. Ernesto Valverde is a coach that I admire and respect a lot, I already knew him from his time in Greece. I admire his work, his behaviour and how he sets his teams up to play. All of that, together with his players, will make Sunday difficult, but let's hope we can do it