Chema Sanz, who this week departed Valencia CF for a new challenge at Sheffield United in The Championship in England, bid farewell with a message of gratitude to the club at which he had formed part of the first team coaching staff and been head coach for VCF Mestalla.

"I'm in England already. I'm very happy," he said. "Valencia CF is my home, I am a Valencianista and I enjoyed the almost five years that I spent at the club, but this possibility arose for me to get to know the English league. The Championship is a very competitive division and I thought that it would be an enriching personal and professional experience."

"I passed on the interest to the club because I had a contract with Valencia CF, and they understood the situation and the circumstances. They made things easier for me. Everything was easy, which is something that I want to highlight and thank them for."

Sanz will continue to support Valencia CF, however, as his connection with the club runs deep.

"Valencia CF has been part of me since I was very young, and I consider the club my home. I am leaving many friends behind there, but I will be in contact with a lot of them and there may yet be a third spell for me at Valencia CF."

"I consider it to be my club, even though I no longer work for them. We gave our all to achieve the best for the club, and I will try to help from a distance as much as I can," he explained.

"It is a new stage of my professional career that I think can enrich me personally and professionally. I love Valencia CF and all the people at the club have treated me very well. I wish Valencia CF the best, and they deserve it."