Javier Aguirre has been named the new head coach of Valencia, signing a contract that lasts until the end of the season.
Aguirre joins Valencia at the Estadio de Mestalla after a two-year tenure with Mexico, where he guided the national team to the round of 16 in the recent World Cup.
The 67-year-old’s contract includes an option for an additional season as Valencia tries to turn around a poor start to the 2026-27 campaign.
Currently, Valencia sits 19th in LaLiga, having garnered just four points from their first seven matches, leading to Carlos Corberan’s dismissal two months after he extended his contract to 2028.
Oscar Sanchez temporarily took over and secured Valencia’s first victory of the season against Alaves, but they suffered a narrow 3-2 loss to Real Sociedad last Sunday.
Aguirre brings a wealth of experience, having managed 468 matches in LaLiga, making him the fifth most experienced foreign coach in the league’s history.
He will become the fourth foreign manager to oversee seven different teams in LaLiga, following the likes of Roque Olsen, Ferdinand Daucik, and Marcel Domingo, having previously managed Osasuna, Atletico Madrid, Real Zaragoza, Espanyol, Leganes, and Mallorca.
OFFICIAL STATEMENT | JAVIER AGUIRRE
https://t.co/o5RRc5iABm pic.twitter.com/WOxJiLwyfv
— Valencia CF (@valenciacf_en) September 23, 2026
Aguirre’s appointment follows his announcement before the recent World Cup that he would step down as Mexico’s head coach, with Rafael Marquez taking over.
Despite his efforts, Aguirre couldn’t lead Mexico to their first quarter-final appearance since 1986 after they were eliminated by a 10-man England team in a 3-2 match held in Mexico City.
This defeat marked Mexico’s first loss at the Azteca Stadium in competitive play in 13 years, since suffering a defeat to Honduras during the 2014 World Cup qualifiers, and the first time they had conceded three goals there since a victorious match against Brazil in 1999.
Now, Aguirre shifts focus back to club football, having last managed Mallorca, where he successfully prevented the team from being relegated in the 2021-22 season.
He also led Mallorca to the Copa del Rey final in 2024, although they lost to Athletic Club in a penalty shootout before he departed the club later that summer.
Aguirre’s first home match in charge will occur on October 17 against Athletic, but he will debut as Valencia’s head coach six days earlier with an away game against Racing de Santander.
Fan Take: This news is significant for soccer enthusiasts as Aguirre’s leadership could inject fresh energy into a struggling Valencia. The potential turnaround at such a historic club not only impacts their fortunes but can also resonate throughout LaLiga, pushing teams to elevate their performance.
Source: www.soccernews.com
