Crisis-hit Valencia hire West Brom’s Carlos Corberan as new coach

MADRID – La Liga’s relegation-threatened Valencia have appointed Carlos Corberan as their new coach after prising him from English second-tier side West Bromwich Albion, the clubs announced on Dec 25.

The fallen Spanish giants exercised a buyout clause in the 41-year-old Spaniard’s contract to bring him to Mestalla on a deal lasting to 2027, days after sacking coach Ruben Baraja.

Corberan, a former Valencia youth goalkeeper, guided West Brom to the Championship play-offs last season. He spent just over two years at the club, which expressed their “gratitude and best wishes”.

With nearly half the season gone, the Baggies are seventh in the 24-team Championship, level on points with sixth-placed Middlesbrough, who occupy the last play-off slot.

Corberan has also coached Huddersfield Town and Greek giants Olympiakos as well as assisted Marcelo Bielsa at Leeds United. He faces a daunting challenge to save Valencia from the drop.

The six-time Spanish champions have not played outside the top flight since the 1986-87 season but sit 19th in La Liga, four points from safety, with just 12 points from 17 matches.

Their next match is at home against Real Madrid on Jan 3, a rescheduled game after the original fixture was postponed due to flooding in November. AFP, REUTERS