Former Valencia captain and sports director Amedeo Carboni cannot imagine his old club being relegated this season.

Ronald Koeman was sacked as coach yesterday, while sports director Miguel Ruiz announced he was also leaving less than 24 hours after Valencia's humiliating 5-1 defeat to Athletic Bilbao.

Carboni said: "We all regret this situation because I personally love this club which has given so much to me. We have to have confidence. Now it makes no sense to criticize, it's time to be united.

"Now I am outside the club, an amateur, and suffering like everyone else.

"When I was there, I wanted to do things that had not been done before, but now that I am out, I am not going to say anything."

Asked if he would like to return to the Mestalla, Carboni added: "I am a professional. Of course, I would love to work for Valencia again."