Valencia have confirmed the appointment of Carlos Corberan as head coach on a contract until 2027 after paying West Bromwich Albion a release fee of around £3m. The Spanish club made the approach after sacking manager Ruben Baraja on Tuesday.
West Brom have decided that Corberan will step down after just over two years in the role, with Chris Brunt, Damia Abela and Boaz Myhill joining the first team while they search for a replacement. He announced that he would be directing it.
Corberan wrote in X in the early hours of Christmas Day: This special club will always have a special place in my heart and I hope to return one day to thank you all for your amazing support. ”
Valencia sit second from bottom in La Liga, with two wins from 17 league games, and are attractive to Corberan not only athletically but also emotionally. He was born about 32 miles from the city and played for Valencia’s youth and B team.
Corberan has been with West Brom, who are seventh in the Championship, since October 2022. He has previously held head coaching positions at clubs including Huddersfield and briefly Olympiakos, and was Marcelo Bielsa’s assistant at Leeds.
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Valencia qualified for the Champions League in fourth place in 2019, but have not finished higher than ninth since then and were once again embroiled in a relegation battle two seasons ago.
