Javi Gracia sacked as Valencia coach

0 Comment(s)Print E-mail Xinhua, May 3, 2021
Adjust font size:

MADRID, May 3 (Xinhua) -- Spanish La Liga club Valencia CF on Monday confirmed the sacking of Javi Gracia as first team coach after less than a year in charge.

The sacking comes just four games from the end of the season and less than 24-hours after Valencia were beaten 3-2 at home by FC Barcelona on Sunday night to leave the club 14th in the La Liga table with 36 points from 34 matches, just six points above the relegation zone.

"Valencia CF have communicated to Javi Garcia this Monday of his sacking as first team coach. The club wants to publicly thank him for his work and dedication during these months in the dugout and wish him all the best for the future," informs the club website, adding that matchday delegate "Salvador Gonzalez 'Voro' will direct the first team in a provisional manner.

Gracia joined Valencia last summer, but has faced a difficult task this season as the club sold and allowed several key players to leave without signing any replacements.

Spain internationals Dani Parejo, Rodrigo Moreno, Ferran Torres all left the club in the summer, along with left back Jaume Costa, midfielder Francis Coquelin and defenders Cristiano Piccini and Ezequiel Garay, with midfielder Geoffrey Kondogbia moving to Atletico Madrid in January.

Gracia was rumored to have offered his resignation in protest at the lack of signings in October 2020, but the club would not allow him to leave and although three loan signings did arrive in January, neither Christian Oliva, Patrick Cutrone or Francisco Ferreira have made an impact, with none playing 200 minutes first team football since arriving in January.

Although Sunday was only Valencia's fourth home defeat of the campaign, their away form has been dreadful with just two wins and 10 defeats from their 17 matches away from the Mestalla Stadium. Enditem

Follow China.org.cn on Twitter and Facebook to join the conversation.
ChinaNews App Download
Print E-mail Bookmark and Share

Go to Forum >>0 Comment(s)

No comments.

Add your comments...

  • User Name Required
  • Your Comment
  • Enter the words you see:   
    Racist, abusive and off-topic comments may be removed by the moderator.
Send your storiesGet more from China.org.cnMobileRSSNewsletter