Soccer-Valencia sack CEO and manager Corberan after winless start to season


Soccer Football - LaLiga - Elche v Valencia - Estadio Manuel Martinez Valero, Elche, Spain - April 11, 2026 Valencia coach Carlos Corberan reacts REUTERS/Pablo Morano

Sept 13 (Reuters) - Valencia ⁠dismissed manager CarlosCorberan and chief executive officer Ron ⁠Gourlay on Sunday after a winless start to ‌the season.

Gourlay and Corberan were under increasing pressure from the club's fans in recent weeks due to the team's poor form. Valencia have ​a single point from their opening ⁠five matches this season, ⁠leaving them bottom of LaLiga.

Corberan was appointed in December ⁠2024, ‌and steered the club clear of relegation to a 12th-place finish.

Last seasonValencia finished in ninth ⁠place, but the manager's style of football earned ​criticism atMestalla ‌and during Valencia's recent home matches, shouts of 'Corberan leave ⁠now' were ​audible from the crowd. In total, he was in charge for 72 games, winning 28 and losing 26.

Gourlay joined ⁠the club in May 2025. He ​had defendedCorberan's position on multiple occasions in public.

Valencia have also terminated the contracts of four staff members working under Gourlay, ⁠as well as Corberan's coaching staff.

"This decision reflects the club's intention to begin a new phase for the running of the sporting structure and football operations," said ​Valencia in a statement. "On an interim ⁠basis, VCF Mestalla coach Oscar Sanchez will take charge ​of the first team."

Valencia said their ‌new sporting structure will be ​announced shortly.Their next fixture is on Tuesday against Deportivo Alaves.

(Reporting by Ruairidh BarlowEditing by Christian Radnedge)

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