Valencia sack manager Corberan and CEO Gourlay after winless five-game start leaves them bottom of La Liga

Valencia parted ways with manager Carlos Corberan and chief executive Ron Gourlay on Sunday, with the Spanish club stranded at the bottom of La Liga after a single point from their first five games of the season.

Corberan had been under mounting pressure at Mestalla, where home supporters had been audibly calling for his departure in recent weeks. The Spaniard took charge in December 2024, initially steadying the club to avoid relegation before guiding them to a 12th-place finish, and then ninth last season. Across 72 games in charge, he recorded 28 wins and 26 defeats — a win rate of just under 39 per cent.

Gourlay, who joined Valencia in May 2025, had publicly backed Corberan on several occasions before his own dismissal. The former Chelsea and Reading CEO had previously worked alongside Corberan at West Bromwich Albion. Valencia also terminated the contracts of four staff members who worked under Gourlay, along with Corberan’s entire coaching staff.

“This decision reflects the club’s intention to begin a new phase for the running of the sporting structure and football operations,” Valencia said in a statement. The club added that Corberan had “carried out his duties with professionalism, passion, and the utmost commitment” and thanked him and his staff for their service.

On an interim basis, VCF Mestalla coach Oscar Sanchez will take charge of the first team. Valencia’s next fixture is on Tuesday against Deportivo Alavés, with the club promising to announce the details of their new sporting structure shortly.