Valencia captain Enzo Perez dedicated his side’s first win of the season to departed Coach Pako Ayestaran.
Los Che defeated Alaves 2-1 at home thanks to an own goal and a late Dani Parejo penalty in the first match since Ayestaran’s dismissal from his role, but Perez wanted to acknowledge the positive role that his former boss had played and give him public support.
“Pako always gave me confidence and that helped us to win this game,” explained the Argentine midfielder.
“He worked so hard with us and put so much effort in, it’s a shame that circumstances meant he has now left us.”
Perez then went on to discuss the summer situation at Valencia, where at one point it looked like the club wished to sell him.
“Many things were invented about me, that I am toxic and a bad person,” he continued.
“My desire is to go ahead and keep being professional here.
“Jesus Garcia Pitarch told me I could go if there was a choice, but I told him I wanted to continue and we came to an agreement.”