Baraja named Valencia boss for 4½ months

2023-02-15 10:00

Baraja named Valencia boss for 4½ months


Valencia announced on Tuesday that 47-year-old Ruben Baraja had been appointed as their new manager. It is understood that Baraja's term will end in June this year.


Ruben Baraja played for Valencia for 10 years during his player era, during which he won 2 La Liga titles, 1 King's Cup title, 1 Europa League title and 1 European Super Cup title. After hanging up his boots at the age of 35, Baraja returned to his old club Atletico Madrid as an assistant coach, and then went to Valencia U19 to coach.


In July 2015, Baraja was hired as the coach of Elche, and from the following year he coached Vallecano, Sporting Gijon, Tenerife and Real Zaragoza. After resigning as Zaragoza coach due to the team's poor start in 2020, Baraja has been at home since then.


Contract details

After 21 rounds, Valencia ranked 18th in La Liga with 5 wins, 5 draws, 11 losses and 20 points, which finally shook the former coach Gattuso's position. According to Relevo reports, the Bats were initially more inclined to invite Vicente Moreno to coach, and Baraja was their second choice after Moreno.


However, Vicente Moreno still has half a year left in his contract with Al-Shabab Club, and the latter's championship situation is extremely serious right now. The length of the contract requested by Moreno is also inconsistent with Valencia's attitude. The club has no intention of offering him a two-and-a-half-year contract. In the end, Valencia turned to pursue Ruben Baraja, and the two sides signed a contract until the end of the 2022/23 season.