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After the departure of head coach Rafael Benitez, the champion of Spain and owner of the UEFA Cup signed a contract with former London coach Claudio Ranieri. For this 52-year-old Italian, it will be a return to the helm of Valencia - he led the team from 1997 to 1999 and won the Spanish King's Cup.
In 1999, Ranieri moved to Atletico Madrid, and later to Chelsea, from which he was dismissed from the coaching position last week.
The Italian told the BBC that Tottenham Hotspur had offered him a very interesting project, but he would prefer to return to Valencia.
"Valencia is my former team, and if the opportunity arises, I would like to return to it," Ranieri said.
The only remaining obstacle to Ranieri's arrival at Valencia is his contract with Chelsea. It is valid until 2007, and for its termination, Ranieri should receive around 5 million pounds sterling (about 26 million litas).
Valencia's defender Vicente, who is currently preparing for the European Championship with the Spanish national team, said that Ranieri would be an ideal replacement for Benitez.
"Recently, he has coached very strong teams and he knows how Valencia looks," Vicente said. "He knows how to lead a team and I think we should have no problems working with him. We will support the new team coach as much as we can."
