Valencia boss Gary Neville says the appointment of Pako Ayestaran as assistant coach has made no difference to his own authority.
Neville confirmed at the weekend that Ayestaran, Rafa Benitez's former assistant at Valencia and Liverpool, had returned to Mestalla to join his coaching team.
Neville has found himself under pressure in his first managerial role, with Saturday's 2-1 home win over Espanyol marking his first Primera Division win in 10 attempts, while the team also suffered an embarrassing 8-1 aggregate defeat to Barcelona in the Copa del Rey semifinals.
However, the former Manchester United defender told his prematch news conference ahead of Thursday's Europa League round-of-32 first leg at home to Rapid Vienna that the arrival of Ayesteran, who briefly managed Liga MX champions Santos Laguna last year, had no bearing on his own future or responsibilities.
"I am the coach of Valencia," Neville said. "If I go, Pako leaves too. That he is coming in now does not mean anything.
"I came here without anybody -- I could have brought some coaches from England, but I didn't want to. After about a fortnight I realised there was a gap. I spoke with the president about this at Christmas, and I spoke with [former Liverpool defender] Jamie Carragher about Pako two weeks ago. It was my idea.
"There have been some problems of understanding, but he is not here to take the training sessions. I do that. We just needed another member of the coaching team."
�� PRESS CONFERENCE I Motivation & excitement taking on #VCFrapid.
@GNev2's words ➡ https://t.co/VsKOTMjWLKhttps://t.co/lwcLvDhlWD- Valencia CF English (@valenciacf_en) February 17, 2016
Valencia centre-forward Alvaro Negredo, meanwhile, told the media that "we understand each other a bit better now" with Ayestaran on the training pitch.
Neville does not yet speak Spanish and, asked whether the language barrier is a problem, the coach said: "Of course it is, in a certain way. In this press conference we all have to use headphones.
"My rule is that everything is done in Spanish whenever possible -- sometimes they [other members of the coaching staff] need to translate what I say. I have tried to fit into the Valencian culture -- with my family, on and off the field.
"Pako's arrival will allow us to have more clear communication. This morning he interpreted for a tactical session."
Neville, who turns 41 on the day of Rapid's visit, said he would be taking the Europa League seriously as a competition and was not worried about the extra work for his players.
"That is something we have taken on from the first day," he said. "We have not had free weeks. Sunday, Wednesday, since I arrived. I thought it would be different in Spain, but no.
"I am looking forward to playing in the Europa League. We have most of our squad now available and the players will be fresh."