Ron Gourlay, the sporting CEO of Valencia Club de Fútbol, has publicly defended owner Peter Lim's project and the club's recent decisions. In comments reported by El Mundo Deportes, the British executive insisted the right calls have been made, as the team struggles with just one point from its first three La Liga matches, sitting 16th in the table.
Valencia CF faces its next fixture, a home match against leaders Barcelona on September 6th, with a record of zero wins, one draw, and two losses. The team has scored only one goal while conceding four, leaving them with a minus-three goal difference. This start places them a full eight points behind Barça in the standings.
What did Ron Gourlay say about the project?
Gourlay, who committed to staying at the club for three years, was firm in his assessment. "El entrenador tiene todo el apoyo, mo, del consejo y de la propiedad," he stated regarding head coach Carlos Corberán. The sporting CEO linked this backing to last season's performance, where Valencia CF finished just one point away from European qualification.
The executive also addressed the summer transfer window, one of the league's quietest for spending. He flatly denied the club's serious interest in several rumoured targets, such as English midfielder Harvey Elliot or striker Marvin Ducksch. "Nunca se han contemplado en serio. No ha ha habido inters por parte del Valencia en estos jugadores," Gourlay said. The only Spanish signing was full-back Arnau, capping a very limited market.
How does the new sporting structure work?
Valencia CF has moved away from a traditional sporting director model. Instead, a trio comprising Lisandro Isei, Hans Gillhaus, and Andrés Zamora now leads the sporting area. According to Gourlay, this new structure is already functioning and fits into a long-term plan spanning a decade.
The stated goal is to progress, improve, and continue, with a heavy emphasis on developing academy talent. This philosophy is part of the club's broader strategy, which includes the future move to the Nuevo Mestalla stadium, expected to significantly boost revenues. You can view the current roster on our squad page.
What is the message for the squad?
The CEO delivered a clear message to the players ahead of the Barcelona clash. He urged them to show hunger and responsibility on the pitch. Gourlay went further, stating that any player who does not wish to wear the Valencia CF shirt with pride should contact him directly.
This rhetoric aims to galvanize a team that needs to react quickly. The first test of this renewed internal confidence will be this weekend's match at Mestalla. To track the team's progress, you can visit our stats section.
What happened in the last winter window?
Gourlay recalled that the club made significant moves in the previous winter window with the signings of striker Sadiq and midfielder Guido. Also, the club maintained silent monitoring of other players like defender De Haas, goalkeeper Dieng, and winger Sato, though no deals materialized.
Other players who were on loan last season, such as defender Maffeo or midfielder Van Oevelen, were not mentioned in the executive's review. The roadmap is now clear: long-term planning and a bet on youth development, a model the board believes will bear fruit. The upcoming home game against Barcelona on September 6th provides an immediate test of this faith in the project. Check all the schedule details on our fixtures page.
