Valencia’s Turbulent Start: Coach and CEO Dismissed After Rodri’s “Very Weak” Remark

Barcelona’s 5-0 victory over Valencia sparked a chain reaction. Midfielder Rodri described Valencia as “very weak,” prompting a public apology three days later. Within days, Valencia terminated the contracts of head coach Carlos Corberán and chief executive officer Ron Gourlay. The club announced interim coach Óscar Sánchez and the return of former sporting director Braulio Vázquez.

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Peter Lim’s ownership, begun in 2014, has seen six different managers; the latest, Corberán, arrived in December 2024. On 6 September, the owner’s son Kiat Lim attended his first competitive match at Mestalla, watching a 5-0 loss that highlighted the club’s deteriorating form. Earlier seasons featured a 12th-place finish under Corberán and a ninth-place finish the year before, but the current campaign has been marked by fan unrest and repeated calls for change.

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• Valencia have earned one point from five league games.

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• The team has suffered four consecutive defeats, scoring one goal while conceding ten.

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• Under Corberán, Valencia recorded 28 wins and 26 losses across 72 matches.

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• The club’s transfer spending this summer was €9 million, while total net sales over the past seven seasons exceed €230 million.

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Rodri’s apology, issued after the criticism, included the line, “We all want Valencia to get back to where they should be, one of the best clubs in our league.”

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• “We all want Valencia to get back to where they should be, one of the best clubs in our league,” — Rodri, Barcelona midfielder

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Óscar Sánchez will lead the first team on an interim basis while the club searches for a permanent manager. Braulio Vázquez has resumed his role as sporting director, tasked with restructuring the sporting department. Valencia’s next league fixture is an away match against Alavés on Tuesday.

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