Luis Arbalejo has been very excited and ambitious in his presentation as the new sports director of Valencia Basket. He has signed for the next five seasons after the dismissal of Chehu Mulero. “The challenge is very exciting. I didn’t think about it for a moment. It is one of the most exciting projects in Europe. I have gone through all the formative stages in Spain and the US. Responsibly and I will try to give my best version”.
Coach?
Yes, Álex Mumbrú continues.
Are you the visible head of a team?
“It is early for that question. It’s my third day. I have met with almost all of them and it is normal for there to be great continuity but I have to assess everything”.
Will there be many changes compared to last season?
“There will be changes and we have to value the results. One nuance, last year they won 15 games in the Euroleague, lost one in the cup and ACB against Barça. We want to be competitive. We are going to give as much continuity as possible and we will try to make a competitive squad if the market leaves us”.
Make squad without knowing Euroleague…
It’s not easy. Decisions are being delayed because of that. The philosophy is the same but the Euroleague is more physical than the Eurocup.
Young or established talent?
We will try to find the balance. You have to give opportunities but not for free. I hope there are many players from L’Alqueria but it cannot be given away. The commitment is clear for young people and we are going to try to make sure you have their space. We want to win and be competitive. You can’t jump into a pool without water.
Dubljevic’s future…
We have to make a decision before June 30. The decision has not yet been made but it will be made shortly. You have to combine the sporting and economic part.
Character to “squeeze” the trainer
Character and personality is above experience. With respect and education.
What does the squad need to improve on?
We have to make a more physical team but I don’t dislike the squad. In the end you are left with a taste in your mouth. We are going to try to make a very physical team between young people and experience. We are going to “try to play the key” to hit the point guard.
Aim:
We would like to enter the Top 8 of the Euroleague and try to have options until the end in all three competitions. It’s not easy because you don’t have such a long squad like Madrid and Barça.
Transfer policy.
We are going to make a shorter squad than last year. So that discards can’t condition us anymore. Missing meetings.
Enric Carbonell, the general manager of the club, He has also valued the arrival of the new sports director. “The club has been firm and decisions have been made with those players with whom they have not agreed. Just as players at a sports level are taken, decisions can be made regarding the involvement of a player. I want to thank Chehu Mulero for his work all these years. We have finished a cycle and he made us a different profile from what the club wants. It is not a question of a change of stickers but rather that the sports structure can face new challenges”.