Danjuma Defends Coach Amid Valencia’s Struggles

Arnaut Danjuma finds himself in an unexpected situation following his arrival at Valencia from Villarreal this summer. With the team hovering just above the relegation zone and having played one more match than the three teams below them, the Mestalla crowd expressed their discontent directed at coach Carlos Corberán after the recent defeat to Real Madrid, chanting for his resignation.

Despite the mounting pressure, the Dutch forward staunchly defends his coach, dismissing any fear of relegation during a post-match interview.

“Fear is a harsh word,” Danjuma reflected, still feeling the sting of the loss to Real Madrid. “We are confident in our quality. We know we have a capable coach and an incredible fan base that fills the stadium every week, and we trust our abilities.” However, he acknowledges the precariousness of their situation, aware that it could worsen in the coming weeks. “We need to improve and find better results. While fear is a strong term, we believe that with our quality, alongside the coach, the club, and the fans, we can overcome this challenge.”

The interview was brief, lasting only six minutes with just three questions, but Danjuma, fluent in Spanish, took the opportunity to elaborate on his thoughts, despite the challenges of expressing himself fully.

“It’s perhaps difficult to articulate; I see what we do in training every day. I believe the coach is tirelessly dedicated to the club. Personally, I have many individual meetings with him, and it’s evident that his dream is to restore the club to where it deserves to be. This situation is tough for us,” stressed the Valencia number 7.

While speaking personally, Danjuma’s message resonated with the entire team: “I have immense faith in the coach, and so does the team. We give our all in training. We understand the difficulties ahead, but I can promise that we are doing everything we can daily to improve our circumstances.”

When asked what needs to change for Valencia to turn their fortunes around, Danjuma highlighted the importance of player concentration. However, he tempered his response when discussing the match against Real Madrid. “We did not face a weak opponent; it was Madrid, a team that could be considered the best in the world with top players. We competed until they scored, but we knew it would be challenging to press them afterward, as they would exploit spaces behind us, making it easier for them.”

Danjuma acknowledged the complexity of their situation, recognizing the difficulties faced by fans and the club: “We understand how tough it is for the fans and for the club; we are suffering as well. Things can change, but we must improve our tactical execution, perhaps by identifying spaces sooner. Nonetheless, we are collectively doing everything we can daily—coaches, players, and the club.”