Valencia stand firm behind Corberán despite growing fan pressure
Valencia CEO Ron Gourlay publicly backs manager Carlos Corberán despite poor results leaving the club just one point above the relegation zone.
Valencia’s hierarchy are digging their heels in and backing their man in the dugout, despite the club sitting just a point above the drop zone and their Copa del Rey hopes recently going up in smoke against a depleted Athletic side.
Gourlay’s public vote of confidence
Valencia’s CEO of Football, Ron Gourlay, had originally scheduled Thursday’s press conference to discuss the January transfer window, where the club brought in three new faces – Sadiq, Unai Núñez and Guido Rodríguez – without losing any players. But as you’d expect, the Scotsman found himself fielding numerous questions about the gaffer’s immediate future.
“The manager is always the easy target,” Gourlay stated firmly, refusing to entertain any notion of Corberán being shown the door. The CEO was having none of it when pressed on how long this support might continue, making it crystal clear: “The manager is our manager and will continue to be so.”
Mestalla murmurs growing louder
The atmosphere at Mestalla has been turning a bit Adam and Eve (believe) recently, with some sections of supporters already voicing their discontent. Corberán even faced chants of “Corberán, resign!” from fans at Manises airport in early January after the team’s 4-1 drubbing against Celta.
Two consecutive league victories against Getafe and Espanyol temporarily quietened the critics, but the Cup elimination at home has reignited concerns among the Valencia faithful.
Project patience
Gourlay continues to preach stability, reminding everyone of the longer-term vision:
“The stability doesn’t come from changing managers every so often,” he explained. “I visit the training ground and see how they work. We’re confident the results will change and will come.”
The CEO also reiterated his previous stance that the club needs to go through “four transfer windows” to properly assess progress – with only two completed so far – coinciding with the eventual move to the Nou Mestalla.
“We need to differentiate between patience and stability,” Gourlay emphasized. “Patience needs facts. It has to be supported by facts… but what this club needs is stability.”
With Valencia teetering just above the relegation zone, Corberán will be desperate to prove his bosses right with some positive results in the coming weeks.