Valencia CF have officially appointed Javier Aguirre as their new head coach, with the 67-year-old Mexican becoming the oldest manager to take charge of the club in its 107-year history. Aguirre, who arrives after leading Mexico at the 2026 World Cup, signs a one-year contract with an option for a further season and faces the immediate task of lifting the team out of the relegation zone, where they sit 19th with just four points from seven games.
The club confirmed the deal in an official statement, announcing that "El Valencia CF ha alcanzado un acuerdo con Javier Aguirre como nuevo entrenador del primer equipo". The coach landed at Manises airport at 9:30 AM accompanied by his assistants Pol Llorente and Toni Amor and took his first training session at the Ciudad Deportiva de Paterna, where he altered the rest schedule to include sessions on Friday and Saturday. His official presentation at Mestalla is scheduled for Monday, 28 September.
Javier Aguirre has extensive experience in La Liga, having managed Osasuna, Atlético de Madrid, Zaragoza, Espanyol, Mallorca and Leganés. His honours include guiding Osasuna to Champions League qualification, winning two CONCACAF Gold Cups with Mexico and a CONCACAF Champions League with Monterrey. This marks his third stint in a Spanish dugout following his successful spell with the Mexican national team, whom he led to the Round of 16 at the latest World Cup, his third finals in charge of El Tri.
Valencia are in a dire league position. The team has only one win in their last five matches, a run that includes a 2-3 defeat to Real Sociedad in their most recent outing at Mestalla. With just four goals scored and thirteen conceded, Aguirre's primary task will be to tighten the defence and start picking up points immediately.
His official debut in the Valencia dugout will be on 11 October at El Sardinero against Racing de Santander, a direct rival in the battle against relegation who currently sit 16th. Aguirre has already made his motivation clear with a pointed remark: "Pero Valencia es Valencia". The coach surpasses the club's previous age records held by Cesare Prandelli (59) and José Bordalás (57).
More detail at Marca - Primera
