Marcelino: Copa del Rey win triggered Valencia sacking

Valencia boss Marcelino has described his side’s Copa del Rey victory as ‘the trigger’ for his dismissal as the club did not take it seriously.

The Coach was sacked from his role earlier this week despite consecutive top four finishes for Los Che, alongside guiding the side to their first trophy in 11 years – beating Barcelona in May’s Copa del Rey final.

It appears likely that sporting director Mateu Alemany – who was behind Marcelino’s appointment two summers ago and stuck by the Coach in the first half of last season with the club languishing in the bottom half of the standings – is also now likely to leave.

Now Marcelino has criticised the club’s president Peter Lim – who is based in Singapore – for his priorities and lack of communication.

“We have not received any congratulations from the achievement in Seville from the owner,” Marcelino told reporters, as cited by Marca.

“When on July 19 I went to Singapore, he congratulated me on the Champions League (qualification) and not on the Copa. You can understand my surprise.

“I am sure, absolutely, that the trigger for this situation was the Copa. During the season we received direct messages and from other people that we had to reject the Copa.

“The fans wanted to fight for the Copa. The players too. Fight for the Copa and the conviction of winning it. We, the coaching staff, wanted to fight and win the Copa.

“Winning it was the trigger for this situation. Who was going to tell me?

“Did they care about the Copa? It was a secondary competition and put the qualification for the Champions League at risk…when the victory against Getafe was key to the achievement.

“I never thought I would be dismissed. When they told me the news, I did not give credibility to it.

“On July 19, the owner told me that there was absolute confidence in our work. After that statement, how can I think that I can be dismissed? September, 10th.”

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