Physical Address
304 North Cardinal St.
Dorchester Center, MA 02124
Valencia fired head coach Ruben Baraja after just two wins in 17 games in La Liga this season.
Baraja, who played for the club between 2000 and 2010, returned to a managerial role in February 2023.
He secured two points in the 2022-23 season before guiding Valencia to ninth place last term.
However, the 49-year-old left with the club 19th in La Liga, four points from safety.
“He helped strengthen the team in a complicated situation and last season, he contributed to the implementation of competitive values that brought Valencia closer to the fight for European positions,” said the club.
Valencia said Baraja was “one of the biggest legends” in the club’s history and the decision to sack him was “very difficult to make”.
Baraja won five trophies in 10 seasons at the club as a player, including two league titles and the UEFA Cup.
In his last game as manager, Valencia drew 2-2 with Alaves on Sunday to move to the bottom of the table on goal difference against Real Valladolid.
The former Spain international, who played in the 2002 World Cup, previously managed Elche, Rayo Vallecano, Sporting Gijon, Tenerife and Zaragoza.
Valencia will face reigning champions Real Madrid in their next match in La Liga on January 3.
