Saturday 23 April 2016 09:30, UK
Valencia have climbed up the La Liga table in recent weeks following three straight wins, including a 2-1 victory over Barcelona the Nou Camp.
The change in form comes soon after the departure of Gary Neville, who was sacked as head coach after just three wins in 16 league games.
His former assistant, Pako Ayestaran, has replaced him, and he told Sky Sports' Guillem Balague what he thinks went wrong for Neville and how he has helped turn things around...
Communication the key
"One of the main problems to get through to the players is communication. A few weeks ago, I was with a Spanish football head coach who has been really successful. He told me that he wouldn't go to a foreign country again without mastering the language.
To get to the players you need the language and that's crucial. That could be one of the changes that has improved the level of the players
"It's important and I am sure the problem with Gary was not a lack of knowledge, he has knowledge about the game.
"He has to put that into practice but to get to the players you need the language and that's crucial. That could be one of the changes that has improved the level of the players."
All about self-belief
"Everything changes with the way you are working and the belief that the people in charge show to the players. I think when you are in a bad run of results, your self-confidence and belief affects the way you train, your determination and performances.
"As soon as we changed the belief and self-confidence, the way the players approach the training sessions and daily basic challenges, then everything has been changing little by little."
Change of mentality
"When people arrive at clubs in bad runs normally the first thing they look at is the conditioning of the players, but most of the time that is not the main problem. Normally it is a lack of belief, lack of togetherness, lack of professionalism, lack of respect, or lack of ambition.
"As soon as you address all these main problems that affect the way players come to training, then everything starts changing. I say to players they have a daily challenge: to do the best work you can in every session, on every task, do it with enthusiasm and for the benefit of the team, because everything you give to the team you will get back. Also, you must overcome difficulties."
Watch Valencia's La Liga match at Getafe, live on Sky Sports 2 HD from 5.10pm on Sunday.
