In a stunning yet somewhat expected move, LaLiga strugglers Valencia CF have pulled the trigger on sacking head coach Ruben Baraja as the club’s alarming downward spiral shows no signs of abating. Monday’s dismissal comes on the heels of a disappointing 2-2 draw against fellow basement-dwellers Alavés, a result that leaves Los Che second from bottom and staring down the barrel of relegation.
Baraja, himself a Valencia legend from his playing days, took over the reins at Mestalla in February 2023 and managed to guide the team to a ninth-place finish last term. However, this season has been nothing short of disastrous, with the club registering a meager two wins from 17 league outings.
Valencia CF have decided to bring to an end Ruben Baraja’s time as first team coach. The club would like to publicly thank Baraja for the passion, dedication and commitment that he has shown from the first to the last day of his tenure in charge.
Official club statement
The Bats are yet to name a successor for Baraja, but whoever takes up the poisoned chalice will have their work cut out trying to steer the rudderless ship to safety. Years of gross mismanagement under controversial owner Peter Lim have taken a heavy toll, with the Singaporean businessman’s tenure marked by high-profile player sales, a lack of investment, and the still-unfinished Nou Mestalla stadium project that has become a symbol of the club’s malaise.
Valencia’s Fall From Grace
It’s hard to believe that just over two decades ago, Valencia were one of the dominant forces in Spanish and European football. Under the tutelage of Héctor Cúper and then Rafa Benítez, Los Che won two LaLiga titles, a UEFA Cup, and reached back-to-back Champions League finals in 2000 and 2001.
However, financial difficulties started to take their toll in the late 2000s, leading to the sales of stars like David Villa, David Silva, and Juan Mata. The situation has only worsened since Lim acquired the debt-ridden club in 2014, with a revolving door of managers and a patchwork squad cobbled together from loanees and bargain buys.
The Nou Mestalla Fiasco
Perhaps nothing encapsulates Valencia’s woes better than the sorry saga of their half-built new stadium. Construction began in 2007 but was halted in 2009 due to financial issues. Lim promised to complete the arena upon his takeover, but nearly a decade later, the Nou Mestalla remains a concrete shell looming over the city.
The failure to finish the stadium recently led to Valencia being dropped as a host city for the 2030 World Cup bid. It’s a damning indictment of just how far the club’s star has fallen.
Where To Now For Valencia?
Barring a miraculous turnaround in the second half of the season, Valencia look destined for the drop. Relegation would be catastrophic for a club of their stature and history, likely leading to a mass exodus of players and even more financial pain.
The only hope for long-suffering Valencianistas is that Lim finally decides to sell up and move on. There have been rumors of potential buyers circling, including billionaire Singaporean businessmen and even a cryptocurrency tycoon. But until the ownership situation is resolved and much-needed stability restored, Valencia seem doomed to keep sinking.
The club’s next fixture is a daunting visit from champions Real Madrid on Jan. 3. It could be a baptism of fire for whoever is brave enough to pick up the pieces from Baraja’s aborted stint in the Mestalla dugout.
