Valencia sacks manager Baraja after club finishes 2024 in relegation zone

Valencia sacks manager Baraja after club finishes 2024 in relegation zone

Valencia sacked manager Ruben Baraja on Monday, after a dismal start to the season leaves the team in the relegation zone, the La Liga club said

Baraja, a former Valencia player, took charge in February 2023, with the club also battling relegation, and led them to safety before taking his side to a ninth place finish last season, but its poor end of season form has continued into this campaign.

“The dynamic of results during this season has required a decision that has been very difficult to make, but which aims to reverse the situation and achieve better results,” the club said in a statement.

Valencia failed to win any of its final seven games last season and began this season with three losses, and with only two wins in 17 league games, the club is second from bottom on 12 points, four points from the safety zone, but with a game in hand.

The club’s next match is at home to second placed Real Madrid on January 3, the rescheduled game after the original fixture was postponed due to flooding last month.