Valencia Sack Corberán, Gourlay Amid Rebuild
Valencia dismissed manager Carlos Corberán and football CEO Ron Gourlay on September 13, 2026. The club sat bottom of LaLiga with one point from five matches after four consecutive defeats, including losses to Barcelona and Sevilla. Corberán took charge in December 2024, guided the side to 12th place in 2024-25 and ninth last season, and had his contract extended to 2028 two months earlier. Óscar Sánchez, coach of reserve side VCF Mestalla, takes interim charge for Tuesday’s match against Deportivo Alavés. Days before the dismissals, Gourlay said: "The manager is always the easy target. I take full responsibility as a representative of the club. It’s not just about the manager or the players. We are all responsible. This club needs stability by following and charting this course." He added: "Yes, I will see this project through to the end. Pressure will not deter me from my path." One source cites a 5-0 Barcelona defeat as the breaking point; another a 1-0 Sevilla loss the day before. One source reported Mestalla fans calling for Corberán’s resignation. Valencia said the dismissals mark a new phase for its sporting structure and football operations. Corberán managed 72 matches with 28 wins and 26 defeats per one source. Gourlay joined as football CEO in May 2025 after Chelsea and West Bromwich Albion; Corberán had previously managed West Bromwich Albion.





