Valencia coach sacked... but he wasn't the only one

Valencia announced on Sunday the dismissal of head coach Carlos Corberán and CEO of Football Ron Gourlay, marking a radical overhaul of the club's sporting management.

The decision comes just two months after the coach signed a contract extension until 2028, a deal that had the explicit backing of the now-departed Scottish executive.

Corberán's position had already become precarious following a string of poor results, notably the defeat in A Coruña, which the coach himself described as "shameful," and the team's lack of response in subsequent matches against Barcelona (0-5) and Sevilla (1-0). His inability to motivate the squad and a reported lack of connection with most of the dressing room led to his early dismissal, even before the three-game grace period the club had allegedly granted him had expired.

Corberán's departure follows shortly after president Kiat Lim witnessed the defeat against Barcelona at the Mestalla firsthand, where he had direct contact with the dressing room and other executives.

In an official statement, Valencia explained that the decision is part of a desire to "begin a new chapter in its sporting structure and football area management." Along with Gourlay, members of his staff—Lisandro Isei, Hans Gillhaus, Andrés Zamora, and Malek Shafei—were also let go.

The club thanked Corberán, who managed the team for 72 official matches, for his "professionalism, passion, and utmost commitment" since his arrival in December 2024 to turn around a "complex situation." Thanks were also extended to Ron Gourlay for his work.

Óscar Sánchez, coach of the reserve side, Valencia Mestalla, will take charge of the first team on an interim basis. The team has a match this Tuesday in Vitoria against Alavés.