Chema Sanz talks contract renewal and potential return for VCF Mestalla

VCF Mestalla coach Chema Sanz recently renewed his contract with the club for another year, and he confirmed the decision on Tuesday in an interview with VCF Media. His impact since taking over the second team was discussed, whilst also on the agenda were the team's training plan during the nationwide lockdown and the uncertainty as to whether the current season will be cancelled or resumed.

"I have to thank the club for the trust they've shown in me and the support they've given me all the time. I'm a Valencia CF fan, a Valencian, and I enjoy being a coach. I couldn't be in a better place. I love training young people. I'm very grateful for the confidence shown in me at all times. I'm very excited about this new project," he said via videocall.

On his approach to coaching VCF Mestalla, Sanz commented that: "I always say that, in the context of trust and enjoying ourselves, it's easier to be at our best. I try to do that. Players compete in their own way, and some compete against themselves. We try to instil some aspects that we feel are important for players to reach the elite, besides whether we win or lose a game, whether they play a little or a lot. It's important, and we also try to help them to win by being at their best. In more delicate situations, such as last year when we came in, we try to play down the drama about results and focus on the process. We felt that could help us to be better."

As for a potential return to action for the remainder of the 2019/20 season, the VCF Mestalla coach has adopted a 'wait and see' philosophy.

"Nothing is official yet. We're waiting for the relevant authorities -the Ministry of Health, the government, the federation- to decide what will happen with Segunda B and the Tercera División. We will adapt. If we have to play, then we'll play. If we have to focus on next season, then we'll respect the decision. At the moment health and safety measures are the most important thing. We're waiting on it, and we'll adapt to what the authorities decide."

"The coaching staff are taking a back seat. I keep in touch with the captain, to see how everybody is, and then I try to have contact with the group on a weekly basis -be it through WhatsApp or through FaceTime. However, my conversations are more personal: Asking them how they are, asking what they are doing, what series they are watching, what they are playing and what books they are reading. I ask if they are studying or not. I try to find out a bit about their lives and talk to them, rather than having a chat about football.

"However, the other staff for the team are putting in the hours as if we were training. The response has been very good and the players are stupendous. I'm proud of how we are working in such a tricky situation for everybody."