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Jonathan White

The vice-president of Uefa Europa League champions Villarreal dedicated the club’s dramatic win over Manchester United last month to China’s Zhang Enhua in an emotional video.
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.
Former China captain Zhang died in April, aged 48. The defender made his name playing for Dalian Shide in China before becoming a cult hero at English side Grimsby Town ahead of China’s sole appearance at the Fifa World Cup in 2002.
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.

Villarreal vice president Jose Manuel Llaneza paying tribute to his friend and colleague the former China international Zhang Enhua, who died in April. Speaks of Zhang cheering team on in club's shootout win over Manchester United in the Uefa Europa League. pic.twitter.com/G1Nlpg5yHJ
— Jonathan White (@jmawhite) June 5, 2021

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. ”


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Uefa Europa League

Ex-Villarreal coach Zhang Enhua ‘cheered on’ win over Man United in Europa League final says Jose Manuel Llaneza

Villarreal CF vice-president Jose Manuel Llaneza holds up a shirt with the name of Zhang Enhua on it. The former China international, who died in April 2021, was a member of the club's coaching staff. Photo: Sina Weibo

Former China captain and Grimsby Town hero Zhang Enhua dies, aged 48

Chinese defender Zhang Enhua celebrates after scoring in the 1998 Dynasty Cup against Hong Kong in Yokohama. Photo: AFP

Zhang of South China tackles Fan Zhiyi of Rangers at Mong Kok Stadium in a Hong Kong top flight football match in 2006. Photo: SCMP

China captain Zhang battles with Kazakhstan’s Oleg Litvinenko in an Olympic qualifying match in 1996. Photo: AP

Fan Zhiyi, Sun Jihai and ‘when 300 million Chinese watched Crystal Palace’

Crystal Palace manager Terry Venables with Fan Zhiyi (left) and Sun Jihai. The pair became the first Chinese football players to play professional football in England. Photo: Reuters

How Manchester City’s Sun Jihai changed China’s relationship with English football

Chinese internationals Li Tie (Everton) and Sun Jihai (Manchester City) shake hands after a 2-2 draw in the English Premier League in 2003.

Manchester City's Sun Jihai (L) argues with officials after being sent off during their FA Cup quarter-final soccer match against West Ham United in Manchester, northern England, March 20, 2006. REUTERS/Phil Noble

Manchester City's Chinese player Sun Jihai (C) celebrates with team mates (L-R:) Li Xiaopeng, Li Weifeng and Shao Jiayi after a penalty shootout victory in their Asian Cup semi-final soccer match with Iran in Beijing August 3, 2004. China beat Iran 4-3 in a penalty shootout after the teams drew 1-1 in regular time. REUTERS/Wilson Chu

(FILES) This file photo taken on October 12, 2005 shows China's Sun Jihai controlling the ball during China's friendly football match against Germany in Hamburg. Former Manchester City defender Sun Jihai, one of the first Chinese footballers to play in the English Premier League, has announced his retirement from the sport, it was reported on December 12, 2016. / AFP PHOTO / JOHN MACDOUGALL

Arsenal's Fredrik Ljunberg (C) beats Manchester City's keeper David Seaman (R) and Jihai Sun (L) to score during their English premier league match at the City of Manchester Stadium, August 31, 2003. NO INTERNET/ONLINE USAGE WITHOUT FAPL LICENCE, FOR DETAILS SEE FAPLWEB.COM REUTERS/Darren Staples

Liverpool's Spanish forward Fernando Torres (L) is beaten to the ball by Manchester City's Chinese defender Sun Jihai during the Premier league football match at Anfield, Liverpool, north-west, England, on May 4, 2008. AFP PHOTO/ANDREW YATES Mobile and website use of domestic English football pictures are subject to obtaining a Photographic End User Licence from Football DataCo Ltd Tel : +44 (0) 207 864 9121 or e-mail accreditations@football-dataco.com - applies to Premier and Football League matches.

Chinese international players Sun Jihai (L) and Li Tie (R) share a joke during training in Shenyang October 5, 2001, ahead of Sunday's crucial World Cup Soccer qualifier against Oman. China needs only one point from the match to make history to qualify for the World Cup finals for the first time. The two players have shined in recent qualifiers and have attracted interest from Italian club AC Milan and Dutch club Ajax, according to Xinhua News Agency. REUTERS/China Photo

Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero took a selfie with President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister David Cameron at the Manchester City football academy.

Manchester City's Jihai Sun (C) is brought down by Aston Villa's Peter Wittingham during their FA Barclaycard Premiership soccer match at The City of Manchester Stadium, Sunday 14 September 2003. Man City won 4 -1. EPA PHOTO/PA/GARETH COPLEY/UK OUT FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY NO INTERNET/

Manchester City's football player Oleksandr Zinchenko signs autographs for fans during a promotional event in Shanghai on July 19, 2019, one day before the final matches of the 2019 Premier League Asia Trophy football tournament. (Photo by HECTOR RETAMAL / AFP)

Hull City's Dean Marney (R) vies with Sheffield United's Chinese defender Sun Jihai (L) during an English FA Cup, fifth round replay, football match at the KC Stadium, Kingston upon Hull, England, on February 26, 2009. AFP PHOTO/GRAHAM STUART - FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY Additional licence required for any commercial/promotional use or use on TV or internet (except identical online version of newspaper) of Premier League/Football League photos. Tel DataCo +44 207 2981656. Do not alter/modify photo.

Manchester City's Sun Jihai (L) disconsulate after his first half own goal during their FA Barclaycard Premiership soccer match against Middlesbrough at the City of Manchester Stadium Sunday 30 November 2003. EPA/JON SUPER NO WEBSITE/INTERNET USE - UK & IRELAND OUT

Chinese football stars in Britain...Fans of Everton of the English Premier League display a newspaper introducing two newly arrived Chinese football stars Li Tie (left in the paper) and Li Weifeng (right in the paper) outside of the stadium in Liverpool on August 17, 2002. 18 August 2002

Crystal Palace Football Club New players from China FAN ZHIYI (26)(R) and SUN JIHAI (22) (L) and manager Terry Venables in new team shirts. For sport. Pic by Stephen Hird

Britain's Prime Minister David Cameron, left, stands with Chinese President Xi Jinping, as Manchester City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak talks, with head of the Elite Development Patrick Vieira, second right and striker Sergio Kun Aguero, right, during a visit to the City Football Academy, on the fourth day of his state visit, in Manchester, England, Friday Oct. 23, 2015. Chinese President Xi Jinping has been greeted by hundreds of enthusiastic and well-organized well-wishers in the northwest England city of Manchester. Crowds waving Chinese flags have greeted Xi throughout his four-day state visit to Britain, outnumbering pro-Tibet and human rights protesters concerned about the British government's lavish welcome for the Chinese leader. (Joe Giddens/Pool Photo via AP)

Sport

Football

China


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



‘He cheered for us in the sky!’ Jose Manuel Llaneza says of former China captain Zhang and club’s Uefa Europa League victory in Gdansk.


Spanish La Liga

Chinese Football Association (CFA)

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

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