Vicente is plotting a route back into top level football – as a coach.

But the former Valencia and Spain star who produced some magical moments for Albion admits his suggestion that he could one day take over at the Amex is a joke. For now at least.

Vicente was your choice in the attacking midfielder or playmaker role in our all-time Albion XI.

We shortlisted him for that position, rather than the left wing he graced in Spain, because of the free role Gus Poyet granted him at the Amex.

Vicente loved that freedom. And he is relishing the chance now to pass on a few tricks of the trade.

He has just returned home to Valencia from Miami, where he coached at a summer camp for 13-year-olds.

It was something he enjoyed but he would love a position further up the ladder.

He told The Argus: “Next year I’ll do my level three diploma so I can coach teams at any level.

“I’m really happy, enjoying life.

“Miami was good because people spoke Spanish. I’ve still got some of the English I learnt in Brighton. I’ve forgotten a lot but I get by.

“I think early on I will be coaching young players but you make progress a bit at a time.

“Maybe do young professional players and then on from there.”

Vicente had European and domestic trophies plus hero’s status back home as he arrived at the Amex at the end of August 2012.

He suddenly found himself having to prove himself again to a new audience – and adjusting to a new life away from the city which adored him.

He said: “It was a massive difference going to Brighton compared to being in the middle of Valencia. So quiet.

“No one bothered me in Brighton, they respect your privacy as a player.

“But even now in Valencia it’s not the same as it was.

“People talk to you but it’s not the same as an ex-footballer.

“They might recognise you and ask for a photo but it’s lot calmer now.

“The football was different too. I played more centrally in England. I had more freedom and I really enjoyed the games I played.

“I don’t really remember individual goals or incidents. When you play so much football, those things sort of get lost in the memory.

“What I remember is just enjoying my football there.”

Vicente’s final game as a professional was the 2-0 win at home to Wolves which ended the 2012-13 regular season.

He sat out the play-offs against Crystal Palace but later insisted he was fit to play when he gave The Argus a controversial interview in which he slammed Poyet as the worst person he had come across in football.

“Controversial?” he asks now. “Why was it controversial? I just told the truth.

“But my memories of Brighton are very good. The city, the fans, the great people at the club. I’d love to come back if one day Brighton needed any help I could give them, whatever it might be.”

He added with a wicked laugh – and a touch of irony given that final interview two years ago: “Maybe I‘ll come over and be Brighton manager one day!

“No, I’m joking. But I’m going to start my career as a coach and just see how it goes.

“I know it’s not easy. There is a lot of competition for jobs.”

Vicente spends a lot of time with his wife and two children, watches football (mainly on TV) and enjoys hunting during the season.

He admits: “I don’t really miss playing, to be honest.

“Maybe sometimes when I see a good game on TV.

“I did it for a lot of years. Now I’m handing over to the youngsters.

“At times you miss the atmosphere of the changing room and being with your team mates.

“But really I don’t miss it much at all.

“When I left Brighton I had offers from Turkey and Greece but I didn’t really feel that I wanted to keep playing.

“I was tired of it. It wasn’t the legs, it was mentally.

“I’ve been to Mestalla once with my son to watch Valencia. They have put some money in the club and have recruited pretty well.

“They came fourth and have to play the qualifying round of the Champions League but I think they will go through for sure.

“I follow Brighton as well. I still talk to Bruno and Calde.

“I am hoping to come over and see them, see a game.”

If he does, it will be as an all-time great at a club for whom he started just 17 league games.

That speaks volumes for what he did in the stripes. And why fans were left wanting more.