Valencia dismissed manager Carlos Corberan and chief executive officer Ron Gourlay on Sunday following a winless start to the current campaign.
Gourlay and Corberan had come under growing pressure from supporters in recent weeks as a result of the team’s poor form. Valencia have picked up a single point from their opening five matches this season, leaving them bottom of LaLiga.
Corberan took charge in December 2024, steering the club away from relegation to a 12th-place finish.
Although Valencia finished ninth last season, the manager’s style of play prompted criticism at Mestalla, where chants of ‘Corberan leave now’ could be heard during recent home matches. Overall, he led the team for 72 games, recording 28 wins and 26 defeats.
Gourlay arrived at the club in May 2025 and had publicly defended Corberan’s position on several occasions. Valencia have also ended the contracts of four staff members working under Gourlay, in addition to Corberan’s coaching staff.
“This decision reflects the club’s intention to begin a new phase for the running of the sporting structure and football operations,” said Valencia in a statement.
Valencia continued: “Corberan joined Valencia CF in December 2024, with the aim of heading the sporting project during a difficult period. He managed to turn this situation around, and carried out his duties with professionalism, passion, and the utmost commitment over the course of 72 official games.
“The club thank him and all members of his coaching staff for their efforts during their time leading the team. The club will announce the new structure for its football operations and the makeup of the upcoming sporting project shortly.
“On an interim basis, VCF Mestalla coach Oscar Sanchez will take charge of the first team,” the club added.
Valencia confirmed that details regarding their new sporting structure will be released shortly. Their next match takes place on Tuesday against Deportivo Alaves.
Coberan’s former clubs include managerial stints at Huddesfield Town, West Bromwich Albion and Olympiacos, as well as Cypriot sides Doxa Katokopias and Ermis Aradippou, won just 28 of 72 games in charge of Valecina, averaging a win percentage of 38.89.
Gourlay, who previously served as CEO for Chelsea, Reading and Saudi Arabian club Al-Ahli, had worked with Corberan at West Brom before they were reunited at Valencia.
