Valencia Sack Manager Ruben Baraja Amidst Relegation Battle

Valencia have made the difficult decision to part ways with manager Ruben Baraja. The club announced the news on Monday, citing the team's disappointing start to the season as the primary reason for the change.

Baraja, a former Valencia player himself, took the helm in February 2023 when the team was also facing relegation. He successfully steered them to safety and even led them to a respectable ninth-place finish last season. However, their poor form towards the end of the previous campaign has carried over into this one.

"The dynamic of results during this season has required a decision that has been very difficult to make, but which aims to reverse the situation and achieve better results," the club stated in an official announcement.

Valencia's struggles are evident in their recent record. They failed to win any of their final seven games last season and have started this season with three losses. With only two wins in 17 league games, they find themselves second from bottom on 12 points, four points adrift of safety but with a game in hand.

a home match against second-placed Real Madrid on January 3rd. This fixture was originally postponed due to flooding last month and has now been rescheduled.