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Valencia have sacked head coach Ruben Baraja after just two wins in 17 La Liga matches this season.<\/b><\/p>\n
Baraja, who played for the club between 2000 and 2010, returned in a managerial role in February 2023.<\/p>\n
He secured survival by two points in the 2022-23 season before guiding Valencia to a ninth-placed finish last term.<\/p>\n
However, the 49-year-old departs with the club 19th in La Liga, four points from safety.<\/p>\n
“He helped stabilise the team in a complicated situation and last season, he contributed to implementing competitive values that brought Valencia closer to the fight for European positions,” the club said.<\/p>\n
Valencia said Baraja was “one of the greatest legends” in the club’s history and the decision to fire him “has been very difficult to make”.<\/p>\n
Baraja won five trophies in 10 seasons at the club as a player, including two league titles and the Uefa Cup.<\/p>\n
In his final game as manager, Valencia drew 2-2 with Alaves on Sunday to move off the bottom of the table on goal difference over Real Valladolid.<\/p>\n
The former Spain international, who played at the 2002 World Cup, has previously managed Elche, Rayo Vallecano, Sporting Gijon, Tenerife and Zaragoza.<\/p>\n
Valencia will face reigning champions Real Madrid in their next La Liga game on 3 January.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n