Valencia Fires Coach Rubén Baraja as Relegation Struggles Deepen

The club sits second-to-last in La Liga, facing fan discontent over owner Peter Lim's management and lack of progress on key commitments.

Valencia dismissed head coach Rubén Baraja following a 2-2 draw against Alavés that left the team in the La Liga relegation zone with 12 points from 17 matches.
Baraja, a former Valencia player, took over in February 2023 and led the team to safety last season, finishing ninth, but poor form has persisted into this campaign.
The club has yet to announce a replacement, with their next match scheduled against Real Madrid on January 3, a rescheduled fixture postponed due to recent floods in Valencia.
Fans have long criticized owner Peter Lim for prioritizing financial interests over the club's success, including selling top players and delaying the completion of the Nou Mestalla stadium.
Valencia's failure to complete the Nou Mestalla stadium led to their exclusion as a host city for the 2030 FIFA World Cup, intensifying scrutiny of Lim's leadership.