"This summer, I spoke with the president of Valencia (Juan Soler) about my future, because I thought it was an ideal job for me when I finish my contract in 2008," said Koeman.
"However, on Monday morning they called me after they dismissed their coach (Quique Sanchez Flores) and in 15 hours we reached an agreement."
Soler said after Valencia's thumping by Real: "We needed somebody to take charge of the team. It is not the first time that we've seen that the team is not well and for that reason we have looked for a person we believe will bring that initiative and that character we need. Koeman is suitable."