In Valencia, Javier Aguirre has arrived with a rescue job rather than a long runway. The Mexican coach takes charge of a side sitting second from bottom in LaLiga, only days after finishing his work with Mexico’s national team, and with the immediate task of steering the club away from relegation danger.
The news from the club
Valencia have appointed Aguirre to succeed Carlos Corberán, whose dismissal followed a damaging opening to the Spanish campaign. The team lost four of its first five league matches, leaving the club in urgent need of a change in direction.
The figures underline the scale of the problem. Valencia have collected four points from a possible 21 and have been beaten in four of their last five outings. Yet Aguirre believes the squad has enough ability to climb away from the bottom end of the table.
“There is a great deal of individual talent,” Aguirre said after arriving in Spain. “We will try to bring the best out of the group so that we are not suffering.”
The experienced coach also argued that recent performances have offered grounds for encouragement, even if results have not matched them. He said Valencia deserved more from certain matches and described the latest displays as very good.
“There is plenty of work to do, and there is still a long way to go in the league,” he added. “There are things to put right; we are here to work.”
The first date in Aguirre’s Valencia calendar
Aguirre will have close to three weeks with his new players before his first match in charge. Valencia are scheduled to face Racing on 11 October in LaLiga’s eighth round, a first opportunity for the new coach to turn his promise of a response into points.
