Relegation battling Valencia sack manager Baraja

Valencia have sacked manager Ruben Baraja, the LaLiga club said on Monday, after a dismal start to the season leaves the team in the relegation zone.

Baraja, a former Valencia player, took charge in Feb. 2023, with the club also battling relegation, and led them to safety before taking his side to a ninth place finish last season, but their poor end of season form has continued into this campaign.

"The dynamic of results during this season has required a decision that has been very difficult to make, but which aims to reverse the situation and achieve better results," the club said in a statement.

Valencia failed to win any of their final seven games last season and began this season with three losses, and with only two wins in 17 league games, the club are second from bottom on 12 points, four points from the safety zone, but with a game in hand.

The club's next match is at home to second placed Real Madrid on Jan. 3, the rescheduled game after the original fixture was postponed due to flooding last month.