Valencia Appoint Baraja To Replace Gattuso

Valencia has appointed former player Ruben Baraja as its new head coach following the dismissal of Gennaro Gattuso.

Baraja, who played for Valencia between 2000 and 2010 and is considered one of the most successful players in the history of the club, replaces interim coach Voro.

The club's decision to appoint Baraja comes amid a difficult season for the team, which currently sits in 18th place in the LaLiga standings and is one point from safety.

Valencia initially appointed Voro as an interim coach until the end of the season but then decided to make a change following a string of three consecutive defeats.

In a statement announcing Baraja's appointment, Valencia said that he "knows the idiosyncrasies of the club and returns home as a coach to contribute his professionalism and commitment." During his time as a player for Valencia, Baraja won two LaLiga titles, a Uefa Cup, a European Super Cup, and a Copa del Rey. He also won 43 caps for the Spanish national team.

Despite his success as a player, Baraja's coaching career has been relatively unremarkable. He has had brief stints at a number of clubs, including Elche, Rayo Vallecano, Sporting Gijon, Tenerife, and most recently Zaragoza in 2020. His appointment as head coach of Valencia represents an opportunity for him to prove himself as a top-level coach.

Valencia's management will be hoping that Baraja's intimate knowledge of the club will help turn the team's fortunes around. The club has struggled since winning its last LaLiga title in 2004, with the ownership changing hands several times in the intervening years. Valencia's current owner, Peter Lim, has been a controversial figure among supporters, with thousands protesting against his ownership of the club during a recent match against Athletic Bilbao.

In the face of a possible drop for Valencia, Baraja remains optimistic about his ability to turn the team's fortunes around. In an interview with the club's official website, he said that "we have to believe in ourselves and work with the players. We are going to fight for this badge and this shirt.

"He also expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to return to Valencia, saying that "it is a great pride for me to return home and to be able to contribute what I have learned."

Baraja's appointment as head coach of Valencia represents a significant challenge for the former player, who will be tasked with steering the team away from relegation and restoring the club to its former glory.

However, with his intimate knowledge of the club and his passion for the game, he will no doubt be up to the task. The coming weeks and months will be crucial for Valencia, as the team looks to turn its fortunes around and secure a place in LaLiga for next season.