Former Valencia director of football Javier Subirats believes former midfielder David Albelda should have never left the club.
Albelda spent nearly the entirety of his playing career with Valencia, first emerging with the Valencia B team in 1995.
He went through two separate loan spells at Villarreal in the 1996-1997 and 1998-1999 seasons.
Albelda firmly emerged as a first team player in the 1999-2000 season, and never looked back.
He was a mainstay in the team for 15 seasons, winning La Liga on two occasions, the Spanish Super Cup, UEFA Cup, and UEFA Super Cup.
Albelda and his teammates were also on the losing side in the UEFA Champions League final on two occasions, in 1999-2000 and 2000-2001.
Subirats worked with Valencia as a youth coach, where he first interacted with Albelda.
He then became a director of football at Valencia, helping the club to their two La Liga titles and UEFA Cup triumph, when Rafa Benitez was manager.
Asked about Albelda's departure in an exclusive interview with Tribal Football, Subirats said: "David Albelda was one of the first players I trained as a youth coach, he already had a lot of personality and showed it when he went to Villarreal… where I was a manager too. I consider that he has been really emblematic at Valencia Club de Futbol.
"With what he was given, he is a player who gave his all for the club and reached his full potential regarding his capabilities.
"It's true that he had some problems leaving the club but that's normal, each person defends their own interests.
"In my opinion, David Albelda is someone who should never have left the club. I believe that he is someone who will return to the club one day… in one way or another, perhaps making decisions in the sporting department.
"He's a great man. In my opinion, he's a good lad who I appreciate a lot and a great player and great person too. He's someone who has given a lot to Valencia."
