Ex-Villarreal coach Zhang Enhua ‘cheered on’ win over Man United in Europa League final says Jose Manuel Llaneza
- Vice-president Jose Manuel Llaneza pays emotional tribute to former China captain and club coach who died in April, aged 48
- ‘He cheered for us in the sky!’ Spaniard says of Zhang and ‘historic’ Uefa Europa League victory in Gdansk
Holding up a Villarreal shirt with Zhang Enhua and the No 8 on the back, Jose Manuel Llaneza speaks to the club’s Villareal CF TV channel in an emotional message.
He had been a member of the coaching staff at the Spanish La Liga side after he retired from playing in 2006 at Hong Kong side South China.
The club’s vice-president Llaneza shared his emotional tribute in a video that was released on Friday and posted on Weibo by the “Titanbinye” account – who describes himself a former sports reporter.
“I am Jose Manuel, Vice-President of the Villarreal football club, a colleague and personal friend of Zhang Enhua,” Llaneza begins in Spanish.
Former China captain and Grimsby Town hero Zhang Enhua dies, aged 48
“I saw Zhang in the sky nervous about our finals, shouting, when I saw a penalty kick, he cheered for us in the sky! Hug us when I won the championship.”
“Zhang, your wife and children must always remember that Villarreal is your home, and I will visit them when I go to China. Thank you, Zhang, and good luck, we will continue to watch the game together.”
Villarreal beat Manchester United on penalties after a 1-1 draw in Gdansk. The Spaniards won 11-10 in the shoot-out to lift their first major European trophy in their first final appearance.
In the version of the interview released by the club on YouTube that does not feature the tribute to Zhang, Llaneza admits to having watched the final three more times on video since that night in Gdansk.
“I took another sensation to the live one. We played a great match against Manchester United. It is a historic achievement. ”
