Valencia CF appointed Javier Aguirre as head coach on Wednesday, September 23, handing the former Mexico boss the task of lifting the struggling LaLiga club out of the relegation zone. The club announced a contract running through the end of the current season, with a club option to extend for one additional year.
The official announcement makes the 67-year-old Mexico City native the seventh Spanish club Aguirre has managed, following spells at Osasuna, Atlético Madrid, Real Zaragoza, Espanyol, Leganés and Mallorca. He will be formally presented to the media at a press conference in the Mestalla Stadium press room on Monday, September 28.
Aguirre replaces Carlos Corberán, who was dismissed earlier this month after Valencia took a single point from its first five LaLiga matches. Interim coach Óscar Sánchez then led the side for two matches before the international break, a win over Alavés followed by a loss to Real Sociedad. The club sits 19th in the table with four points from seven matches.
The appointment completes an early season overhaul of Valencia’s sporting structure. Football CEO Ron Gourlay departed alongside Corberán, and the club brought back Braulio Vázquez for a second spell as sporting director to lead the rebuild with Aguirre.
Aguirre arrives months after ending his third stint as Mexico’s head coach at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. He led Mexico at three World Cups, in 2002, 2010 and 2026, and this summer guided El Tri to their first knockout-stage win at the tournament since 1986 on home soil before a 3-2 loss to England in the Round of 16 at Estadio Azteca. Rafael Márquez, his former assistant, succeeded him with the national team.
His career silverware includes the 2004 Copa del Rey with Real Zaragoza and the 2009 CONCACAF Gold Cup with Mexico, and his long LaLiga history is built on rescuing struggling sides, most recently keeping Mallorca in the top flight between 2022 and 2024.
The presentation on September 28 will be his first public appearance as Valencia’s coach. The mission is straightforward: pull one of Spain’s historic clubs clear of the relegation fight and earn the additional year on the deal.
