Valencia legend returns as Gattuso's replacement

(Cordon Press/Diario AS)

LALIGA Valencia legend returns as Gattuso's replacement

Ayoola Kelechi 15:22 - 14.02.2023

Former captain Reuben Baraja returns to the Mestalla

Valencia have finally named a successor to Gennaro Gattuso and it is a familiar name, Reuben Baraja, who spent 10 years at the Mestalla as a player. 

Valencia find Gattuso replacement

Valencia have spent the past couple of weeks finding a manager to fill the vacancy left after they parted ways with Gattuso at the end of January, and have found Baraja the perfect replacement for their Italian ex-coach. 

Gattiuso was left his post as Valencia boss after a breakdown in the relationship with club Chairman Peter Lim and a horrid run of six losses and just one win in 10 league games that left them 14th in the league.

Baraja joined Valencia as a player in 2000 from Atletico Madrid and played a crucial role as Los Che reached the UEFA Champions League final in his first season with the club. He spent nine more years at Valencia, becoming captain and lifting two LaLiga titles, a UEFA Cup, UEFA Super Cup, and Copa del Rey in 2008 before retiring with Los Che in 2010. 

Is Baraja the right man for Valencia? 

In his managerial career, Baraja spent two years in charge of Valencia’s youth team and went on to manage Elche, Rayo Vallecano, Sporting Gijon, Tenerife, and Zaragoza before being appointed Valencia manager. 

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Valencia have not done much better without Gattuso and have lost both LaLiga matches they have played since Gattuso’s departure leaving them in 18th in the league and in serious danger of getting relegated.

With Valencia in a precarious position in LaLiga, they will be hoping that their former captain can rescue the club from possible relegation, but there is not much evidence that he is the best man for the job, having seen little success in the other clubs that he has managed. 

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