Vicente Javier Valero Verchili has been awarded the ‘Best Coach / Technical Staff’ prize at the XVth Sports Gala of Castellon. Xavi Valero, who was the goalkeeper coach on the Rafa Benitez staff at both Liverpool and Inter Milan, was one of the winners at the official presentation which took place a few days ago at the Royal Nautical Club of Castellon.

Valero was honoured to receive the award. ‘This type of recognition, having been some time away from the area and having been here first as a player and recently as a coach, gives me enormous personal and professional satisfaction. It’s like being a ‘prophet in your hometown’, something which is very hard to achieve. I am firstly grateful and secondly proud to have received this. I am honoured and would like to thank those involved’ Valero told www.rafabenitez.com before adding that ‘it is an award I want to share with my family and those who have made it possible for me.’