A failure to compromise can be a fragile way to deal with others. Should another person not share the same opinion or belief, quickly it creates an impasse. In an individual sport, this wouldn’t necessarily generate an unworkable working environment, as the problem factor can be easily extracted. In football, however, bad apples can poison the entire group.
Once they do, harmony can be tough to find. Different players will have contrasting reactions and personalities that agree or disagree with certain coaching methods. Coaches themselves will have certain preferences for which attributes they like their personnel to have, both physically and mentally, and all of this is the complicated minefield that Valencia’s new coach Marcelino must navigate over the coming months.
The 51-year-old has more Primera experience than the likes of Cesare Prandelli, Pako Ayestaran, Gary Neville and Nuno Santo Espirito combined, but his methods provide the biggest question mark. He is self-admittedly a demanding man, with arguments and abrasion leading to his departure from former club Villarreal, but his results a little north of Valencia spoke for themselves.
“I like order, discipline and commitment,” Marcelino explained during his unveiling as Los Che’s latest managerial appointment.
“Without the necessary demands, humility, commitment, solidarity and ambition it is impossible to get results. The desire to win must bring us together and together we will be stronger.”
Fortunately, his inevitably hard-line approach will be backed to the hilt by his superiors. When it was announced that Marcelino would be taking the job at Mestalla, the press release made it unequivocally clear that it was for a minimum of two seasons. It is his way, or the highway.
Valencia’s players may have just signed off at the end of their LaLiga campaign last weekend, but already the effects of their new coach are being felt. They have 41 days of holiday, but they will not escape the watchful eye of their latest superior.
Diet plans have been shared, with players asked to drink two litres of water per day, eat more fruit and vegetables and avoid alcohol entirely. Baked goods are advised against, as are fried foods, some dairy-based products and desserts. All sacrifices to be made for the greater good.
Marcelino is known to border on obsessive with the weight of his players, who are being asked to watch their carbohydrate intake too, as a method of making sure that they return for pre-season in the best shape possible. A failure to adhere to any of these demands will undoubtedly see the guilty parties struggle to get into the first-team picture.
“Revolution is a word that I don’t like to use at all,” he continued.
“We have to analyse, it is indisputable that we are going to change the squad. I shared the opinion that we have to make changes, we can’t use a magic wand. We have to judge players using a series of values that we will consider to be key. With commitment, with ambition, that go out every game to win and compete.
“We will assess all positions in the squad and we will come to an agreement where solutions are necessary. The aim is to build a squad packed with both quality and ambition with balance - both disciplined and ordered in defence, while dynamic in attack.”
At Villarreal, under Marcelino, 4-4-2 became the system and framework of the team. Players were purchased with that shape in mind, and under Fran Escriba the blueprint of his predecessor has continued to provide the same impressive results. The latest of those: a 3-1 win at Mestalla on LaLiga’s final day.
While the Yellow Submarine continued with their well-known approach against Valencia, the home side matched them up. Young talent Carlos Soler partnered captain Dani Parejo in central midfield, with Nani and Joao Cancelo used as narrow wide men. Rodrigo played off Simone Zaza up front.
Los Che’s 4-4-2 had promise. Out of possession, they looked vulnerable, not least in the centre of the park. While Villarreal have always boasted the presence of the evergreen Bruno as their deepest central midfielder, Valencia are yet to find the man to slot into that role under Marcelino.
But on the ball, they looked sharp and capable of the kind of interplay that was common to Villarreal’s regular forays upfield under their former coach. Carlos Soler has recently renewed his contract at the club, complete with an increased 80-million-euro release clause, and has the potential to be the heartbeat of an exciting new Valencia. This was a window into the future.
“My teams have a definitive way of playing, but it isn’t essential that it is done this way,” Marcelino explained, willing to be flexible with tactical plans but little else.
“It will depend on the players that we have in the squad. The organisation and collective work are key. If we concede 65 goals then we won’t be in the upper reaches of the table, we will be a balanced team and dynamic in attack.
“I am going to be participating in all of the decisions that will be taken to put the squad together, that is without doubt because we have to create a philosophy of play. We are going to make a competitive team. On September 1, I hope to be completely satisfied. I’m sure I will be.”
And thus, the trial period begins. Any players who don’t enjoy the methods of their new coach can be sure that the foundations that Marcelino will put down will outlast their own period at the club.
“All of the players are important, in our way of doing things nobody will be essential, he just has to show it with his performance, not with his name.
“I am going to see out at least two years, not four weeks,” he announced, with near-tangible authority.
Mestalla has a reputation for having a demanding crowd. Now, the players have a coach that their fans will be able to relate to on precisely that level.
