Danjuma Defends Valencia’s Coach Amidst Struggles

Arnaut Danjuma is currently facing an unexpected situation following his arrival at Valencia from Villarreal this summer. With the team just a point above the relegation zone and holding an extra match over the three teams at the bottom, the Mestalla fans directed their frustration toward head coach Carlos Corberán after a loss to Real Madrid, chanting “resignation!”

However, the Dutch forward stands firm in his support of the coach, responding confidently when asked about the fear of relegation.

“Fear is a very strong word,” Danjuma reflected, still reeling from the defeat to Real Madrid. “We do not fear because we trust in our abilities. We know we have a good coach and an incredible fan base that fills the stadium every week, and we believe in our quality,” he insisted. Nonetheless, the Dutch player acknowledges the delicate nature of their situation, which could worsen in the upcoming weeks. “We need to position ourselves higher; we can play better and must find results. While fear is a strong word, we know that with our quality, the coach, the club, and the fans, we can overcome these challenges.”

This statement was part of a six-minute press conference that featured only three questions. Danjuma, speaking fluently in Spanish, elaborated on his answers, even when it was challenging to articulate his thoughts clearly.

“It may be difficult to explain; I see what we do daily in training. I believe the coach hardly sleeps; he is dedicating himself entirely to the club. Personally, I have many individual meetings with him, and it is evident that his dream is to bring the club back to where it deserves to be. This situation is tough for us,” emphasized Valencia’s number 7.

While speaking personally, the Dutch footballer extended his message to the entire team: “I have a lot of confidence in the coach, and I can assure you that the team does too. We give our all in training. We know it is difficult, but I promise we are doing everything we can every day, and that is all we can do to improve this situation.”

When asked about what needs to change for Valencia to reverse their fortunes, Danjuma identified a key factor related to the players: “What needs to change is our concentration.” However, he moderated his response when discussing the match against Real Madrid. “We did not play against a weak team; it’s Madrid, a team that could be the best in the world and has the best players. We competed until they scored. After that, we knew it would be difficult because we had to press them, and they would find spaces behind us, making it easier for them to capitalize on those opportunities,” he justified.

Danjuma acknowledges that the situation is challenging to explain and comprehend: “We understand that it is difficult for the fans and the club; we are suffering too. Things can change, but we need to improve tactically, perhaps by finding spaces earlier. However, in our day-to-day efforts, we are doing everything we can— the coach, the club, and the players.”