Javier Aguirre wants to repay Valencia supporters with a win

Javier Aguirre believes he cannot ask any more of Valencia’s supporters: he wants to repay their affection with a win. On Saturday, the Mexican coach will take charge of his team at home for the first time, at Mestalla. He arrives after opening with a draw against Racing at El Sardinero. “If you feel pressure, take it on; it is better to have it than to be at home,” he said.

Aguirre described a gesture that stayed with him. As he waited for his car outside the hotel, a man got off a public bus, hugged him and then left. The coach said he was moved by the show of affection and by the supporters’ desire to see the team bounce back. His message was clear: “I can’t ask for anything; we have to give them a win.”

He is also looking forward to returning to Mestalla, where he had previously been a visiting coach. “I’m very excited,” he said, noting that the crowd is now behind his team. The coach also argued that pressure is part of the job and must be channelled: “It’s better to be here under pressure than to be at home.”

Improving the team’s play is another immediate priority. Looking back on his debut in Santander, Aguirre said his team had given the ball away too quickly. He wants the players to make their first safe pass better and show more personality in possession. He was pleased with their attitude without the ball, while emphasising the target: “We have to win, no matter how.”

The coach confirmed he had held meetings with Valencia sporting director Braulio Vázquez, but did not disclose what they discussed. He said their conversations cover the past, present and future, while attention is now focused on the next league match. The supporters’ affection matters, he made clear, but it does not distract the team from its immediate objective: going for the three points.