Valencia’s fight to escape the lower reaches of LaLiga is bringing further change at Paterna, where Javier Aguirre is set to receive an addition to the club’s goalkeeping department after only three matches in charge.
The Mexican coach has yet to lift Valencia out of the relegation places, and the club are expected to appoint Unai Alba as a goalkeeping coach for both the senior side and the academy. His arrival is due to be confirmed on Tuesday, with a contract reportedly running until 30 June 2027.
A familiar face returns to Paterna
Alba, who comes from the Basque Country, already knows Valencia’s training ground. He worked in the club’s youth structure from 2014 before leaving for Barcelona’s reserve team in December 2023, where he served as a goalkeeper coach.
After nearly three years with the Catalan club, Alba is preparing for a return to the Ciudad Deportiva de Paterna. He will work alongside Andoni Ochotorena, supporting the first team while also contributing to the academy setup.
In a farewell message to Barcelona, Alba thanked those he had worked with and referred to Rafael Márquez among the figures who had shared his path. He also offered an apology to anyone he may have let down, although the message did not confirm his next destination.
Valencia retain control of Aguirre’s staff
The reshaping of the goalkeeping department is understood to be a club-led decision rather than a request from Aguirre. The coach had hoped to bring in Joseba Ituarte, his recent goalkeeping coach, but Valencia approved only Toni Amor and Pol Llorente as additions to his own staff.
Alba’s appointment therefore gives Aguirre another specialist around the squad, while leaving the wider make-up of the technical team under Valencia’s direction.
Cup trip offers Aguirre a first-win chance
Valencia travel to Tavernes on Wednesday, 28 October, for their Copa del Rey first-round tie. The match is scheduled for 14:00 Central Mexico time and presents Aguirre with an opportunity to claim his first victory since taking the post.
Attention will then return to the league on Sunday, 1 November, when Valencia visit Elche at the Estadio Martínez Valero in matchday 11. Martín Anselmi’s Elche await, with kick-off set for 11:30 Central Mexico time.
A Valencia win could take the visitors out of the relegation zone if either Getafe or Rayo Vallecano also lose, making the journey south another important stop in a season that has already demanded swift decisions in the city.
