Valencia Appoints Carlos Corberan as New Head Coach

La Liga club Valencia, currently facing relegation struggles, has named Carlos Corberan, formerly the boss of West Bromwich Albion, as its new head coach. Corberan achieved 47 victories in his 107 matches while leading West Bromwich Albion. Valencia secured the 41-year-old Spaniard’s release from his contract with Championship club Albion by paying a clause, estimated to be in the range of £3-4 million. Corberan has committed to a contract with the Spanish club that extends until the conclusion of the 2026-27 season. This appointment follows Valencia’s decision on Monday to dismiss head coach Ruben Baraja, who had overseen only two wins in 17 league games this season. In an official statement, Albion acknowledged Corberan’s departure, expressing “with the club’s gratitude and best wishes”. Coaches Chris Brunt, Damia Abella, and Boaz Myhill will assume temporary caretaker responsibilities for the Baggies while the club conducts its search for a new coach. Following the confirmation of his new role by Valencia, Corberan communicated via social media that his choice to depart Albion was “the hardest of my life”. He further stated, “There will always be a place in my heart for this special club and I hope one day I can return to thank you all for your incredible support.” Corberan, who previously managed Huddersfield Town, took charge of the Baggies in October 2022. He guided them to a ninth-place finish in his inaugural season and a fifth-place finish last term, where they were defeated by Southampton in the play-off semi-finals. This season, he has steered Albion to seventh position in the Championship standings, positioned just outside the play-off spots based on goals scored, despite his assertion that the playing budget had been cut by 30%. Corberan had been linked with the recent managerial opening at Premier League team Southampton; however, the Saints ultimately selected Ivan Juric to succeed the outgoing Russell Martin. Valencia, Corberan’s club of origin, is currently four points away from a safe position, occupying second-to-last place in La Liga. In what was Baraja’s final match as manager, the team played to a 2-2 draw against Alaves on Sunday, which allowed them to move off the bottom of the table on goal difference. Their upcoming league fixture is scheduled for 3 January against the reigning champions, Real Madrid. West Bromwich Albion announced Carlos Corberan’s departure to take over at Valencia on Christmas Eve. The announcement was made at 20 minutes to midnight. Valencia, currently in the relegation zone, has experienced financial difficulties. Since Unai Emery, the current Aston Villa boss, departed in 2012, only one manager has remained in charge for more than two years. Corberan was appointed as the successor to Steve Bruce in October 2022, during which time chairman Guochuan Lai was formally at the helm. Corberan organized a team that progressed from the relegation zone to narrowly miss a 2022-23 Championship play-off position. In the subsequent season, he secured a top-six finish, losing to Southampton in the semi-finals, a club with which he was also associated last week. Despite the February takeover by American businessman Shilen Patel, the club’s financial constraints persist. It was disclosed last week that the reduced wage budget from the summer amounted to 30%, leading to the departure of several players.