New Valencia coach Ruben Baraja paid tribute to Rafa Benitez after taking charge yesterday.
The former VCF captain has signed to the end of the season with the option for another year if they stay.
At his presentation, Baraja said: "There were two moments in this situation. The first moment in which the club contacted me to assess my thoughts on the situation and see whether I was willing to face the moment that the club are in. That happened a few days ago. The second moment was when they called me to say that I had the job as coach of Valencia CF. They were two very emotional and exciting moments.
"In the end, I would describe it with one sentence: 'For me, coaching Valencia is my lifelong dream'. That's why I'm a coach. The biggest milestone that I had in mind when I started was to be able to coach Valencia CF someday. Imagine what it's like when the club calls you to turn a difficult situation around. Coming home is a great honour, despite the situation in which I return."
On returning to the club, Baraja also said: "Great emotion, because you meet a lot of people who have worked at the club again, and who have seen your playing career.
"There are good workers who contribute and continue at the club. They remember you with love and respect for everything you've achieved it. It's been nice. I'm coming home. From the kitman, to the physio, the person who opens the door for us every day.
"They are people who have seen me during my time as players, people we know and who will contribute. There are many emotions that I have experienced from the moment I woke up.
"One thing is what happened yesterday, all the calls and everything when the news breaks. Another thing is waking up today with the feeling of getting up as Valencia CF coach. It's been special."
Baraja also was keen to pay tribute to his and Valencia's former coach Benitez.
He added, "If there is one thing Rafa Benítez has for the Valencianistas, it is this fantastic memory of a golden era in which I was lucky enough to be one of the central figures and to experience it first-hand, and for Rafa to give me this message of encouragement and confidence is a great joy because he has always been a great role model for all of us who want to get into coaching. I am grateful and, as he says, I will try to make the right decisions and achieve the objective we have set ourselves for this term of the season."
