The Valencia CF has officially announced the dismissal of Rubén Baraja as the head coach of the first team following disappointing results this season. The decision follows the team's current position near the bottom of La Liga, where they are second to last with only 12 points from 24 matches, including just two victories. The club expressed gratitude for Baraja's commitment but highlighted the necessity of this change to turn around their fortunes.
Baraja's tenure, which began earlier this year amid fears of relegation, saw initial success but this has not translated to consistent results as evidenced by Valencia's recent run of five matches without victory. The turning point occurred after the agonizing 2-2 draw against Deportivo Alavés, which sealed Baraja's fate as head man at the club. According to the club's public statement, "the dynamic of results during this season has required a decision which has been very difficult to take but aims to reverse the situation and achieve improved results."
Following Baraja's exit, Valencia CF's management has already begun searching for potential successors. The most prominent candidate is Quique Sánchez Flores, who has previous experience with the club, having held the manager's position from 2005 to 2007. The directors have reportedly reached out to him at least twice to gauge his interest. Nevertheless, Sánchez Flores's acceptance hinges on the club's ability to promise adequate signings and financial backing, as he is hesitant to take over at such a turbulent time without assurance of the required tools to mount a recovery.
Should Sánchez Flores decline, another strong candidate is Carlos Corberán, currently managing West Bromwich Albion. The 41-year-old is under contract but has emerged as the second choice amid Valencia’s management discussions. Corberán's options at the moment seem limited as he is also considered by other teams within the English leagues, complicate Valencia's attempts to secure his services.
Sánchez Flores is favored because of his familiarity with the club and its culture, but he has expressed hesitations about the current project. His previous stout relationship with Valencia, combined with the fans’ favorable memories of his impact there, make his candidacy intriguing. Reports suggest he has reservations due to uncertainties about the club's financial commitments to players and whether he can avoid the potential relegation impact.
Another name is Voro, who has temporarily led the team numerous times before, earning him the nickname 'firefighter' due to his ability to step up during crises. While many fans would not be surprised to see Voro appointed before key matches such as against Real Madrid, his long-term position is less certain as he has also been redirected toward supportive roles within the club's structure.
Contrastingly, Sérgio Conceição has emerged as another attractive option, having recently exited from his manager role at Porto after a successful seven-year spell. Conceição's departure means he currently lacks team engagements, yet his high-profile representation might facilitate negotiations.
The urgency for the club arises not only due to its standings but also because any prospective manager will face immediate pressure to deliver results and establish much-needed stability. This precarious situation magnified by economic limitations from club ownership, led by Peter Lim, complicates the search for Baraja's successor.
It remains to be seen how Valencia CF will navigate these issues and what direction the incoming management will take as it seeks to restore both the team's performance and its aspirations to remain competitive within the top tier of Spanish football.
