Aguirre returns to Spain with La Liga strugglers Valencia

by

Javier Aguirre has been appointed as Valencia’s new head coach on a contract that will run until the end of the season.

Aguirre arrives at the Mestalla after two years coaching Mexico, which he led to the last 16 of this summer’s World Cup.

The 67-year-old’s contract contains an option for him to stay on for a second season in charge of Valencia, who have made a dismal start to the 2026-27 season.

Valencia are 19th in La Liga with four points from their first seven games and Carlos Corberan has been sacked just two months after extending his contract until 2028.

Oscar Sanchez took charge on an interim basis and helped Valencia register their first win of the season against Alaves before losing 3-2 to Real Sociedad last Sunday.

Aguirre comes with a wealth of experience. He has coached 468 games in La Liga, ranking fifth among foreign coaches in La Liga history.

The Mexican will become the fourth foreign manager to coach seven different teams in La Liga, having previously coached Osasuna, Atletico Madrid, Real Zaragoza, Espanyol, Leganes and Mallorca.

Aguirre arrives in Mexico after announcing ahead of this summer’s World Cup that he would leave the country and be replaced by Rafael Marquez.

He failed to end Mexico’s wait to reach the quarter-finals for the first time since 1986, when they were beaten 3-2 at home by ten-man England.

This is the first time Mexico has faced an official match at the Azteca Stadium in 13 years since losing to Honduras in the 2014 World Cup qualifiers. It is also the first time since the 4-3 victory over Brazil in August 1999 that Mexico has conceded three goals at the Azteca Stadium.

But Aguirre will now turn his attention back to club football, having last managed Mallorca and helping them avoid relegation from La Liga in 2021-22.

Aguirre also guided Mallorca to the 2024 Copa del Rey final, where they were beaten on penalties by Athletic Club before leaving the club that summer.

His first home game in charge will be against Athletic Bilbao on October 17, but he will represent Valencia against Racing Santander six days ago.

Leave a Comment