Koeman keen to steady Valencia

Ronald Koeman says reviving Valencia CF's fortunes is a matter of "finding the right balance" after meeting the press for the first time as the club's coach.

Exciting prospect
The Dutchman left PSV Eindhoven to join Valencia after the dismissal of Quique Sánchez Flores in the early hours of Monday morning following back-to-back defeats by Rosenborg BK in the UEFA Champions League and Sevilla FC in the Primera División. Wednesday's 5-1 mauling at home to Real Madrid CF only deepened the gloom at the Mestalla Stadium, but the 44-year-old Koeman remains optimistic, saying: "Valencia have good quality players so it's a question of finding the right balance. They have very demanding supporters but football is for the public to enjoy. I am very excited about coaching Valencia and taking the team where it deserves to be."

'Here I am'
With stand-in coach Óscar Fernández to lead the Primera División's sixth-placed side for the last time at RCD Mallorca this weekend, Koeman will make his debut at home to Rosenborg in Group B next Tuesday. "It's all happened very quickly but I had always wanted to come to a big Spanish club," said Koeman. "It has been tough for me and PSV, but I wanted to come to Valencia and here I am. The title race is a long one and we have only played ten games. There are 28 to go and that means lots of points to play for. There are several candidates for the top five or six places and Valencia will be up there."