Marcelino has said he is "absolutely
certain" that winning the Copa del Rey
last season triggered his sacking as
Valencia coach this week. The Spaniard, who spent two campaigns
at the helm of Los Che, was dismissed on
Wednesday despite winning the Copa
del Rey and securing Champions League
football last season. - Speaking for the first time since being
dismissed, Marcelino told a news
conference: "I'm absolutely certain that
what triggered this [sacking] was the
Copa. During the season, we received
direct messages from certain people that we had to reject the Copa [in order
to concentrate on La Liga]. "But the fans wanted to fight for it. The
players too and so did the coaching staff.
Who would have told me that this would
trigger this situation?" Valencia beat La Liga champions
Barcelona 2-1 in Seville on May 26 to lift
the Copa while they finished fourth in La
Liga despite a slow start to the 2018-19
campaign. "We never received any congratulatory
messages from the club owner [Peter
Lim] after winning the Copa," Marcelino
said. "When I went to Singapore on July 19, he
[Lim] only congratulated me for the
Champions League qualification and not
for the Copa. You can imagine my
surprise." Marcelino reportedly had a tense
relationship with Lim over differences
regarding Valencia's summer transfer
policy. However, the former Villarreal coach
said he is still upset over the club's
decision to dismiss him and appoint
Albert Celades as his replacement. "I was incredulous when they notified
me," the 54-year-old said. "I felt
helpless. "I never saw myself out and it came as a
surprise. When I met with the club
owner on July 19 he told me face-to-face
that he had absolute confidence in our
work. "After those comments, how could I
think that I would be sacked on Sept. 10?
I'm sad but thankful for the messages of
support that I've received. I take with
me the affection and respect from the
players and those that worked with me here. Now I will take some time off." Valencia, under new coach Celades, play
at Barcelona on Saturday before
beginning their Champions League
campaign away to Chelsea next week.