Valencia Club de Fútbol has endured twelve years of institutional instability under Meriton ownership, a period documented by Marca that has seen five presidents, seven sporting directors, and twelve head coaches come and go. This turbulence is mirrored in the team's current dire situation, sitting bottom of La Liga with just one point from four games, having scored one goal and conceded nine.
Amadeo Salvo was the first president after Peter Lim's arrival in 2014, but he resigned after seven months due to disagreements with sporting management. He was succeeded by Layhoon Chan, who between 2015 and 2017 witnessed the paradoxical sale of Paco Alcácer. "Paco Alcácer was not for sale and Lim was selling him to Barcelona at that time," Chan stated. Anil Murthy presided over the club from 2017 until his removal in 2022, followed by a brief interim period under Khojama Kalimuddin. Chan returned for a second term between 2022 and 2025 but failed to consolidate his position. Finally, Kiat Lim, the owner's son, assumed the presidency on March 5, 2025.
The turnover in the technical area has been equally intense. Francisco Rufete was the first sporting director and resigned in July 2015. Jesús García Pitarch lasted a year, citing a lack of control. Mateu Alemany, the architect of the sporting revival that included the 2019 Copa del Rey and Champions League qualification, was pushed out after a power struggle with the ownership. César Sánchez barely lasted a few months in 2020. Miguel Ángel Corona led the department from 2020 to 2025 under strict economic directives. Since May 2025, Ron Gourlay has been in charge as CEO of football.
Averaging one head coach per year, the cycle began with Nuno Espírito Santo, who achieved Champions League qualification. This was followed by failed stints like that of Gary Neville, appointed by Lim's personal choice. Cesare Prandelli resigned in 2016 citing unfulfilled promises. The peak came with Marcelino García Toral, the most successful manager of the era, who "was abruptly dismissed due to public disagreements with the ownership in September 2019." After him came Celades, Javi Gracia, José Bordalás, and Gennaro Gattuso. Rubén Baraja, a club legend, rescued the team from relegation by relying on youth academy players. Since December 2024, Carlos Corberán has faced a very difficult start to the league season.
The initial investment phase included expensive signings like Gonçalo Guedes for 40 million euros. However, in the last six years policy has shifted towards extreme financial containment. The club has survived by heavily relying on the loan market, bringing in 58 loan players over these twelve years. Results have depended on the quality of these temporary footballers. This strategy hinders the construction of a solid long-term sporting project.
Valencia faces its next match, away to Sevilla on September 11, from a position of utmost urgency. The team is in last place, with one point and a -8 goal difference, and trails leaders Barcelona by eleven points. The squad led by Corberán needs an immediate reaction in a demanding La Liga schedule. Fans can follow the team's progress and check the probable lineup on our squad page. The match at the Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán is a huge challenge against a Sevilla side sitting sixth in the table.
