During Spring of 1999, after rumours of Claudio Ranieri being linked to Atlético Madrid[1] the club agreed to replace the Italian head coach for the upcoming season, the final choices were Radomir Antić from Atlético Madrid with a contract until 2000 with colchoneros and Argentine Héctor Cúper from RCD Mallorca free in June[2] and whom, finally, was appointed as new manager.

[3] Valencia CF emerged as a world football heavyweight after reaching the Champions League final.

New coach Héctor Cúper[4] focused heavily on making the defence invincible, although, despite the general perception of a much more defensive Valencia, they actually conceded the same number of league goals as they had under previous coach Claudio Ranieri.

Among the key players were playmaker Gaizka Mendieta (voted as the best midfielder in the Champions League), fellow midfielder Gerard, goalkeeper Santiago Cañizares, winger Javier Farinós and striker Claudio López, who was sold to Lazio at the end of the season.

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